Former Punjab Assembly Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal joins BJP

Chandigarh, May 5: Charanjit Singh Atwal, former speaker of the Punjab Assembly, has recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi in the presence of party national president JP Nadda. Atwal had resigned from the primary membership of the Akali Dal on April 19, before joining the BJP. 

Atwal has had a long political career, having previously served as the Deputy Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009, and representing the Phillaur constituency of Punjab in the 14th Lok Sabha as a member of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Atwal has also held the position of Speaker of the Punjab Assembly twice in the past.

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Atwal's decision to switch to the BJP is seen as a significant development in Punjab's political landscape, as the state is set to go to polls in early 2022. The BJP has been making efforts to expand its presence in the state, and Atwal's move is expected to strengthen the party's position in Punjab. Atwal has a significant influence among the Dalit community in Punjab, which could prove to be a significant advantage for the BJP.

It remains to be seen how Atwal's entry into the BJP will affect the political dynamics in Punjab. The state has traditionally been dominated by the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, with the Aam Aadmi Party emerging as a significant player in the last few years. 

The BJP has struggled to establish a foothold in the state, but Atwal's entry into the party is being seen as a step in the right direction. The BJP is expected to field Atwal as a candidate in the upcoming assembly elections, and his presence is likely to give the party a boost in Punjab.

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