Punjab byelections: Thandal joins BJP, likely to be candidate from Chabbewal

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has lost another big wicket as its former minister and four-time MLA, Sohan S Thandal, has joined the BJP and is likely to be announced as its candidate for the Chabbewal (reserved) Assembly bypoll seat. The nomination papers for the November 13 bypoll are to be filed by October 25.

He joined the saffron party in the presence of Punjab in-charge Vijay Rupani, former Union MoS, ex-MPs Sushil Rinku and Shwait Malik, ex-MLA Sheetal Angural and general secretary Parminder Brar.

Thandal was the probable SAD candidate even this time, but as there had been no clarity on whether the party would contest the four bypolls, he shifted to the BJP to be able to contest this time. The BJP, too, had been finding it difficult to get a local candidate, who could have had a close connect with the voters from the typically rural seat. In Thandal, the BJP has managed to get a new Panthic face.

Interestingly, Thandal had reflected no plans to make a shift as he had even attended the Akali Dal core committee meeting day before. Earlier, the BJP had been mulling on having former MoS Vijay Sampla or Dr Dilbagh Rai as its candidate.

Interacting with mediapersons post his joining, Thandal said, “He was happy that he had joined the BJP that has worked in coalition with the Akali Dal for years. Even though I have joined the BJP, I still hold the SAD and its leaders Sukhbir Badal in high regards. The party had given me ample chances to serve my area. I have been their core committee member till the end. But this time, the party is running through a rough weather. My main agenda has been to stall the entry of the AAP in my area that I can do through the BJP.”