BJP nominates maximum turncoats in Punjab battle

OF the 52 candidates declared by the four major political parties — AAP, BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — in Punjab, 15 are defectors. Topping the list is BJP with seven such candidates, followed by Congress and AAP with three each and SAD with one. Most of the leaders have switched over from the Congress.

- HARPREET BAJWA

A leading political analyst, Prof Kuldip Singh, told this newspaper, “Since there was a shortage of candidates in both BJP and AAP, they ventured out giving the turncoats a field day, especially with the BJP. In Jalandhar, all the parties have defectors. Most of them are from Congress, which is the oldest political party. The bigger the family, the more likely there is an internal rift.

The BJP used to fight on three Lok Sabha seats in alliance with SAD. Now, it is contesting solo and needed candidates. Taking defectors on board is a step to fill the gap.”