Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans quits SAD

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 18

The SAD vice-president and Sufi singer, Hans Raj Hans, resigned from the party yesterday. Transport Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, who was here to open the renovated office of the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, said: “We cannot do anything if he does not want to work with us.”

The minister said he had not had any communication with Hans since the past four months. On reports that Hans may join the BJP, Kohar said: “ The BJP is our ally. It does not matter to us if anybody quits the SAD and joins the BJP ”.

Hans, who represents the Balmiki community in the region, had unsuccessfully contested against Mahinder Singh Kaypee in 2009. He said he had handed over his resignation letter to district president Gurcharan Singh Channi.

Asked if he intended to join the BJP, Hans said: “Let me think for a while.” He claimed that his rivals had distorted an interview he had given to the Pakistan TV five years ago and uploaded it on Whatsapp months before the Lok Sabha poll to ensure he was not allotted the party ticket.

Hans had unsuccessfully contested from Jalandhar in 2009 after which he announced he would quit politics. But a few months later, he was in active politics again. Hans had revolted against the party after Pawan Tinu was allotted the LS ticket earlier this year. The Deputy CM went to his house to placate him.

He was told to stay away from Jalandhar and canvass in Bathinda.