Several AAP, SAD, BJP leaders from Batala join Congress

Chandigarh: In a boost to the Punjab Congress ahead of assembly elections, several leaders and workers from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) joined the party in the presence of Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.The induction programme was held during a party event where the newly joined leaders expressed faith in the leadership of the Congress and its policies for Punjab.Those who joined the Congress from the AAP included Rakesh Kumar Tuli, district president of Gurdaspur transport wing and former city president, Batala; Rajesh Kumar Tuli, municipal councillor from ward No. 46; Balwinder Singh Minta, municipal councillor from ward No. 13, member of the Punjab Livestock Development Board and block president, Batala; Sardool Singh, municipal councillor from Ward No. 48; Jasbir Singh Nita, former municipal councillor from ward No. 10 and former mandal president, Civil Lines; and Savinder Singh, founder member of the AAP from ward No. 37.Meanwhile, those who joined the Congress from the SAD are Satpal, former municipal councillor from ward No. 32; Bhupinder Singh alias Somu Wala, senior Akali Dal leader from Man Nagar, Raj Kumar alias Raju, former mandal president, Batala Civil Lines of the BJP.Welcoming the leaders into the party fold, Baghel and Warring said the growing support for the Congress reflected people's trust in the party's vision and leadership in Punjab. They said workers and leaders from different political backgrounds were joining the Congress as they were disillusioned with the policies of the ruling parties.