In a significant political development, senior advocate and former AAP MLA Harvinder Singh Phoolka joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 1 in New Delhi. His entry is being seen as a major boost for the party ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Phoolka re-entered active politics after nearly seven years and joined the BJP in the presence of senior leaders including Hardeep Singh Puri, Sunil Jakhar, and Tarun Chugh.
Who Is HS Phoolka
Harvinder Singh Phoolka is a well-known human rights lawyer and a senior advocate in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. He gained national recognition for his legal fight for justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Over the years, he built a strong image as a legal activist and public figure focused on justice and accountability.
Political Journey: From AAP to BJP
Phoolka began his political career with the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014. He contested the Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana but lost to Ravneet Singh Bittu.
In 2017, he won the Punjab Assembly elections from Dakha constituency and later became the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.
However, in 2018, he resigned as an MLA, citing dissatisfaction over the handling of sacrilege cases by the then Congress government.
Brief Association with Akali Dal
In December 2024, Phoolka briefly aligned with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) during a party reorganisation phase. However, his latest move to join the BJP marks a major shift in his political stance.
What His Entry Means for BJP
Phoolka’s clean image, legal background, and strong connect with Sikh issues could help BJP strengthen its position in Punjab.
His presence may also help the party reach out to voters seeking accountability and justice-focused leadership.
