The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) today got shot in the arm as Mr. Kewal Krishan Chauhan, BSP candidate from Anandpur Sahib for 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Shiv Ram Chauhan, BSP candidate from Balachaur for 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections and Mr. Surjeet Kohli, President Nawanshehar Vidhan Sabha BC cell joined Shiromani Akali Dal along with their supporters in the presence of party President and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, former MP Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra and Parliamentary Secretary Chaudhary Nand Lal. Meanwhile, Mr. Badal announced that 5-6 more sitting MLAs were all set to join Shiromani Akali Dal before Lok Sabha elections.
Kewal Krishan Chauhan had secured 1,18, 088 votes in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, whereas, his brother Mr. Shiv Ram Chauhan had secured 22, 000 votes and placed second in 2012 Vidhan Sabha elections.Welcoming Chauhan brothers and their supporters in the party folds, Mr. Badal said that people were joining Shiromani Akali Dal as its leaders were more accessible and easily approachable than any other party. He assured Chauhan brothers that party would give them due respect and place in the party. He said that induction of Chauhan brothers and their supporters in the party would strengthen the party in the Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar and Nawanshehar region.
Later interacting with media, Mr. Badal said that 5-6 more sitting MLAs of Congress party were all set to join Shiromani Akali dal before Lok Sabha elections. He said that the people from Congress were joining Shiromani Akali Dal as they were fed up of anti nation and anti people policies of their party leaders and moreover, they could not even get a chance to register their protest as party President Sonia Gandhi and Yuvraj Rahul Gandhi were accessible to selected people only.
On Shiromani Akali Dal’s stand on NDA candidate for the post of Prime Minister, Mr. Badal said that party was committed to support any candidate announced by the BJP. Replying a media query, he said that Narendra Modi could be a candidate for the prime minister's post, citing importance of the Gujarat strongman's appeal and track-record. "Narendra Modi is a capable leader. He has done remarkable development work in Gujrat and many states are following the practices adopted by Gujrat", Mr. Badal told reporters. Mr. Badal also advocated for capital punishment to Delhi rape accused.
Describing his reasons to join Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr. Kewal Krishan Chauhan said that he, his brother and their supporters were deeply impressed by the pro people policies of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. He said they felt that in this present scenario when the country was facing socio-economic crises it was the need of hour all the pro poor leaders must join Shiromani Akali Dal to strengthen the party not only in Punjab but in other states also.