Former Congress MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy, who left the party after being denied a ticket from the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency, joined the AAP on Wednesday.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann welcomed Goldy into the AAP, addressing him as his "younger brother" and praising his "dedication". "We welcome him along with his supporters," Mann said, as reported by PTI.
Mann, accompanied by Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, the AAP candidate for the Sangrur seat, said the Congress "disregarded" Goldy even though he put in a lot of work and became an MLA. Goldy's presence in the AAP, he added, "will further strengthen the party".
ALSO READ: Kanhaiya Kumar Meets Sunita Kejriwal, Says 'I.N.D.I.A's Fight Against Dictatorship Is On 543 Seats'
Goldy, who contested unsuccessfully from the Dhuri assembly seat against Mann in the 2022 polls, pledged to undertake any responsibilities assigned to him within the AAP.
In response to a query, Goldy said he felt like he was kicked out of the Congress. Despite his "best efforts", he claimed, the party gave the ticket to another person.
Goldy resigned from the primary membership of the Congress through a letter addressed to Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the chief of the Punjab unit. He said in the letter he was upset with the state leadership.
'Threatened To Join AAP'
Sukhpal Khaira, a three-time MLA, has been chosen by the Congress as the party's Sangrur candidate.
Mann has slammed Khaira's allegations that Goldy was threatened with Vigilance Bureau action to join the AAP, "Who pressured him (Khaira) to switch parties many times? He has no right to make such allegations. It is the BJP which uses central agencies like ED against political opponents," he said.
On April 16, Goldy had asked the Congress high command not to "betray anyone" after expressing his displeasure at not receiving the party ticket for the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat.