HS Phoolka, 1984 Riots Lawyer and Ex-AAP MLA, Joins BJP in Punjab

In a significant political development ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, Harvinder Singh Phoolka, a senior advocate, human rights activist, and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in New Delhi. This move marks his return to active politics after a hiatus of approximately seven years, during which he primarily focused on his legal fight for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Phoolka's induction into the BJP fold was made in the presence of several senior party leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, and BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh. BJP leaders welcomed Phoolka, emphasizing that his joining would strengthen the party's presence and outreach in Punjab, particularly among the Sikh community. Addressing the media after his induction, Phoolka articulated his reasons for joining the national party. He highlighted his belief that only the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, possesses the capability to effectively address the pressing challenges faced by Punjab. These challenges, according to Phoolka, include deteriorating law and order, widespread corruption, the escalating drug menace, and a deep agrarian crisis that threatens the state's groundwater and agricultural future. Phoolka, a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2019 for his public service, also spoke of his long-standing association with the BJP, noting that the party had consistently supported his legal crusade for justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims over the past four decades. He mentioned working closely with prominent BJP leaders like Madan Lal Khurana, Sushma Swaraj, and Vijay Kumar Malhotra in pursuing these cases. He candidly described his earlier political venture with the Aam Aadmi Party, which he joined in 2014, as a "mistake." He explained that he had initially joined AAP with the hope of bringing change and tackling corruption, but eventually realized that the ground reality within the party was different from his expectations. Phoolka's political journey includes contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana on an AAP ticket, though he was unsuccessful. He later won the Dakha Assembly seat in the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections and briefly served as the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly. He resigned from his MLA position in October 2018 and formally quit AAP in early 2019, citing dissatisfaction over the state government's alleged inaction on the 2015 sacrilege incidents and to dedicate himself entirely to the 1984 riot cases. The decision drew sharp reactions from other political parties. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his disappointment, calling Phoolka's switch a "breach of trust" to the voters who elected him. Mann questioned the credibility of leaders who abandon their mandate midway and suggested that such moves do not strengthen democracy. The Congress party in Punjab also criticized the move, with spokesperson Arshpreet Khadial accusing Phoolka of "double standards" and questioning the BJP's stance on Phoolka's past criticisms. Phoolka's entry is strategically important for the BJP, which has been aiming to expand its footprint and organizational strength in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The party has been actively reaching out to Sikh and Panthic faces, seeking to fill a perceived political vacuum in the state, particularly after the weakening of the Shiromani Akali Dal. The upcoming elections are anticipated to be a keenly contested affair, with AAP also expressing confidence in winning over 100 seats, as stated by senior leader Manish Sisodia. Phoolka's rich legal background and his reputation as a crusader for justice are expected to add significant weight to the BJP's campaign in Punjab.

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