Akali Dal leader Ravi Karan Kahlon joins BJP day after expulsion

Ravi Karan Kahlon. Pic/X

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon joined the BJP on Thursday, a day after he was expelled by his former party.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday expelled Kahlon from the primary membership of the SAD for "anti-party" activities and "backstabbing" the party

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar and party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa extended a welcome to Kahlon into the party.

Kahlon had unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls from the Dera Baba Nanak seat.

Kahlon is the son of former Punjab Assembly speaker and rural development and panchayat minister Nirmal Singh Kahlon.

(With inputs from PTI)

Expelled Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam set to join Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena

Earlier this month expelled Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam joined Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Sanjay Nirupam joined his 'alma mater' Shiv Sena, now headed by Eknath Shinde, nearly two decades after he quit the undivided party which was his political launchpad in Mumbai.

Sanjay Nirupam had joined Congress in 2005 and was appointed as general secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. He won the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 elections, defeating BJP veteran Ram Naik by a narrow margin in a keenly fought contest.

According to the PTI, the Congress expelled Sanjay Nirupam last month for six years for "indiscipline and anti-party statements", days after he gave a 'one-week ultimatum' to the party over the Mumbai North-West seat, which he was eyeing.