In a major political development, senior advocate and former AAP MLA HS Phoolka has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking his return to active politics after nearly seven years.
His entry is being seen as a significant boost for the BJP’s Punjab unit, especially ahead of upcoming political challenges in the state.
Joined BJP in Presence of Top Leaders
Phoolka joined the party at the BJP headquarters in Delhi in the presence of senior leaders including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh.
The leadership welcomed him warmly, highlighting his legal expertise and long-standing fight for justice.
Known Face Behind 1984 Riot Justice Battle
HS Phoolka is widely respected as a senior advocate who has practiced in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. He is best known for leading the legal fight for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, making him a prominent voice in human rights and justice-related issues.
His work in securing justice for riot victims earned him credibility and recognition across political and legal circles.
Political Journey: From AAP to Exit
Phoolka entered politics in 2014 by joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He contested the Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana but did not win.
However, he later secured victory from the Dakha constituency in the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections and briefly served as the Leader of the Opposition in Punjab.
Why He Took a Break from Politics
In 2017, Phoolka stepped back from active politics, resigning from his position to ensure that his legal work for the 1984 riot victims remained unaffected. He later resigned as MLA in 2018 and formally quit AAP in early 2019.
His decision at the time was widely seen as prioritising justice over political ambition.
BJP Gets a Strategic Advantage in Punjab
With Phoolka now joining BJP, the party is expected to gain both legal expertise and moral credibility, especially among Sikh voters. His entry could play a key role in strengthening BJP’s position in Punjab, where it has been working to expand its base.
