Lodhinangal leaves Congress to join SAD

Amritsar, Oct 8 (UNI) In a major set back to the ruling Congress, popular leader from Gurdaspur district, Mr Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal today joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

He announced his decision to leave the Congress and join SAD in the presence of former Chief Minister and SAD chief Prakash Singh Badal here today.

Mr Lodhinangal began his political career with the SAD in the early 1990's. However, he left the SAD just prior to the last a ssembly polls to join the Congress.

The Congress, however, did not give him a ticket in the last Assembly polls as had been promised. Even after the Congress captured power in the state, he continued to be ignored.

His entry into the SAD will improve the prospects of the party in the Batala sub-division of Gurdaspur district. The SAD is expected to field him from the Qadian constiteuncy in the Assembly elections to be held in February next year.

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