Former Punjab minister Surjit Singh Rakhra joined the Aam Aadmi Party here on Saturday in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Rakhra had been one of the most prominent faces of the Shiromani Akali Dal for many years.
During the previous Akali governments, he handled such important ministries as Revenue and Rehabilitation and was considered among the close confidants of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Due to differences, particularly with Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Rakhra distanced himself from the party and later joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit).
The Giani Harpreet Singh-led breakaway faction later expelled Rakhra for “anti-party” activities.
Rakhra is a two-time MLA from the Samana Assembly in Patiala, which is currently represented by AAP legislator Chetan Singh Jouramajra.
He is the younger brother of US-based businessman Darshan Singh Dhaliwal.
On Wednesday, Rakhra praised Mann for the enactment of an anti-sacrilege law.
