CHANDIGARH: Former Leader of Opposition and ex-AAP MLA, HS Phoolka, a Supreme Court lawyer, has announced his intention to join the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Phoolka stated that he would officially enrol when the party begins its new membership drive, emphasising the need for a strong regional party to address Punjab’s unique issues.
Speaking to this newspaper, Phoolka said, "Punjab needs a strong regional party to address its unique challenges and problems. When I joined AAP, I believed its constitution, based on Swaraj, would allow decisions to be taken at the local level, functioning like a regional party. However, that did not happen. I resigned from the party, and for the last six years, I have stayed out of politics."
Phoolka explained that public pressure and Punjab’s ongoing crisis compelled him to return to active politics. "There is a lot of public pressure on me, and I think the state is going through a crisis. My purpose is not the upcoming elections in Delhi. When I, along with others, joined AAP, it was not with an electoral purpose but to address social issues. Now, my aim remains the same – to find solutions for Punjab's problems and the turmoil it is experiencing. If I wait for the assembly elections, which are two years away, my conscience will not allow it," he said.
Phoolka expressed optimism about SAD's recent restructuring, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen the party. "As Akali Dal is reconstituting, now is the time to join and fortify the party. Previously, I opposed Akali Dal's functioning under Sukhbir Singh Badal. However, the current leadership has acknowledged its past mistakes and apologised, creating a new opportunity to rebuild trust. I am not seeking any designation within the party or planning to contest elections. My focus is solely on fortifying Akali Dal and restoring its original stature," he remarked.
Responding to claims that the recent attack on Sukhbir Badal might have been orchestrated to gain sympathy for the party, Phoolka criticised the Punjab Government.
"It is shameful on the government's part. First, they claimed Punjab Police personnel were attentive and saved Sukhbir, and then they said they are investigating whether it might have been staged. The state government should apologise to the public for this," he asserted.
Phoolka accused the AAP government of failing to meet public expectations. "Since the AAP Government was formed in the state two and a half years ago, the situation has deteriorated further. They have failed on all fronts. We have no hope from this government as the situation is worsening. Only a strong regional party will be able to address and resolve Punjab's problems," he said, listing key issues such as the farmers' crisis, drug menace, and the plight of Bandi Sikhs.
When asked about his plans to join SAD and whether he had contacted Sukhbir Badal, Phoolka replied, "When I joined AAP, I did not meet anyone; I simply filled out the membership form. Now, I will do the same – fill the form when the membership drive begins and work for the public."
Phoolka stepped away from active politics in 2019 after his resignation as the Dakha MLA was accepted. His political journey began with an unsuccessful bid in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections on an AAP ticket from Ludhiana.
He was later elected from Dakha in 2017 and served as Leader of the Opposition, a post he relinquished to focus on the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases after the first session of the assembly.
In January 2018, Phoolka resigned from AAP, citing his sole reason as the need to focus on the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases. "My only reason to quit as Leader of Opposition in the Punjab assembly was to fight for justice in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases," he explained.