Senior Congress leader Sunil Jakhar joins BJP

New Delhi, May 19: Former Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar joined the BJP on Thursday in the presence of party chief J P Nadda. He had quit the Congress few days ago.

 Welcoming him in the BJP, Nadda said Jakhar had enjoyed a special stature in Punjab that was independent of the Congress party and helped strengthen nationalist forces in Punjab.

                “BJP is emerging as the number one nationalist force in Punjab. Hence it is necessary for all leaders having nationalist ideology join the BJP to strengthen the party and for a stronger Punjab,” Nadda said.

                Jakhar, a three-term MLA and a former Lok Sabha member from Gurdaspur, became emotional as he recalled the five-decade association of his family with the Congress.