Punjab bypoll: In major setback to SAD, Thandal joins BJP

The SAD has lost another big wicket, with its former minister and four-time MLA Sohan S Thandal joining the BJP in the presence of former Gujarat Chief Minister and Punjab party incharge Vijay Rupani on Thursday.

Thandal is likely to contest from the Chabbewal (Reserved) Assembly bypoll seat.

Thandal is likely to contest from the Chabbewal (Reserved) Assembly bypoll seat. Thandal was the probable SAD candidate, but as there was no clarity on whether the SAD would contest the four bypoll, he availed of the opportunity to shift to the BJP to be able to contest this time, too. The BJP was also finding it difficult to get a local candidate with a close connect with voters from the typically rural seat. In Thandal, the BJP has managed to get a new panthic face.

Thandal had revealed no plans to shift to the saffron party as he had even attended the SAD's core committee meeting the day before.

Earlier, the BJP was mulling on inducting former MoS Vijay Sampla or Dr Dilbagh Rai as its candidate.