Big reshuffle in Punjab politics… Former AAP leader H.S. Phoolka joins BJP, big step for 1984 riots lawyer

New Delhi: Senior Supreme Court advocate and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader H.S. Phoolka joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. He is particularly known for representing the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Phoolka’s joining the BJP is being seen as a major success for the party as it prepares to oust the Aam Aadmi Party government from power in the state in the Punjab Assembly elections next year. Phoolka joined the party in the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh, party Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar and party chief spokesperson Anil Baluni.

Welcoming Phoolka to the BJP, Puri said, “His joining will further strengthen the party and our efforts in Punjab.” He described Phoolka’s induction as an important contribution to the party’s commitment to justice and accountability. He mentioned his contribution in providing justice to the victims of riots. Phoolka said the BJP supported the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in their legal fight.

He said that only BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi can solve the challenges that Punjab is facing under the rule of Aam Aadmi Party. Phoolka said, “The Prime Minister has shown personal interest in Sikh issues. He has always appreciated my efforts because of my work on the 1984 riots.” He said that leaders like Madan Lal Khurana, Sushma Swaraj and Vijay Kumar Malhotra supported the issue and the BJP, especially in Delhi, fought the issue as if it was their own issue.

Phoolka said, “Since BJP did a lot on this issue, I also contributed as much as possible from my side.” I led the legal team of the party without holding any post. From 2003 to 2013, after resigning from my post at the Election Commission, I guided their legal efforts in the elections. That is why I have decided to formally join the party.

Phoolka had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as an AAP candidate from Ludhiana in Punjab but lost to Congress’s Ravneet Singh Bittu. Bittu is now a BJP leader and Union Minister. Phoolka had won from Dakha assembly seat of Punjab in 2017. He was also the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly for about three months in 2017. He then left this post to plead cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Delhi High Court. On Wednesday, Phoolka said it was his ‘mistake’ to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

He said, “In 2014, seeing the growing anger against corruption, I thought this party had come to change the country. But once inside, I realized the situation was different. Joining them was a mistake.” Expressing concern about Punjab, he said that the state is facing many crises.

Phoolka said, “Seeing the condition of Punjab today, I feel sad and guilty that I have stayed away from it till now. The situation is extremely serious—law and order problems, extortion, widespread corruption, drug abuse and deep agricultural distress. If Punjab has to be brought back on track, only BJP can do it.” Targeting the Congress over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, he alleged that the killings took place during the Congress rule and were part of a larger conspiracy.