Lok Sabha Election 2024: Sushil Kumar Rinku, AAP MP from Jalandhar, joins BJP

BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde handing over the party membership to former AAP leader Sushil Kumar Rinku

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Aam Aadmi Party’s MP from Jalandhar, Sushil Kumar Rinku, switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 27.

Rinku’s joining comes just a day after Congress’ three-time parliamentarian from Punjab, Ravneet Singh Rinku, joined the saffron party. Rinku was welcomed into the party by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, BJP’s general secretary Vinod Tawde, and BJP Punjab president Sunil Jakhar.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, the former AAP leader said, “The bordering states of Punjab are growing, while Punjab is way behind in terms of development. I have joined the party to ensure my Lok Sabha constituency prospers. I made promises to the people of Jalandhar and couldn’t fulfil them as the AAP government didn’t support me.”

He said the working style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah always impressed him adding that the ministers of the Union government always paid attention to his demands concerning railways or aviation.

“I see a new ray of hope for Jalandhar after joining the BJP. I am hopeful my people will have better access to better facilities on the ground with the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

While welcoming Rinku, Hardeep Singh Puri said that the BJP is the world’s largest political party and joining of many leaders will strengthen the party in Punjab.

“This is a movement which is heading in the direction of strengthening the democracy. We all will work together for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047,” Singh added.

The BJP will contest the Lok Sabha polls on its own in Punjab. Polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on June 1, the last phase of the seven-phase elections.