Ahead of upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa  joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today informed that Sirsa met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda before he was inducted into the BJP. “Sirsa has been working with us for a long time. Sirsa till now was DSGMC head, but he has resigned now from it. Sirsa has met Amit Shah and JP Nadda just before induction,” he said.

Welcoming Sirsa into the BJP, Shekhawat said the saffron party will gain in the Punjab election with his induction.

Following his induction, Sirsa thanked the BJP leadership and said he had worked with Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and helped people throughout the world.

“Akali has been with BJP for a long time. We fought for the issue of Sikhs together. Now there are various issues pertaining to Sikhs throughout the country. I have always raised my issue for the Sikh community,” he added.

Sirsa resigns as DSGMC president

Earlier in the day, the Akali leader announced his resignation as DSGMC president on Twitter. While sharing his resignation letter, Sirsa said he will not contest the upcoming internal elections of the Delhi Sikh body.

“With gratitude to all office bearers, members, staff and people who worked with me; I am resigning from Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee as President. I will not contest the upcoming DSGMC internal elections,” Sirsa tweeted.

“My commitment to serving my community, humanity and nation remains the same!” he added.

Sirsa has been a prominent face of the Akali Dal in the national capital and was a strong supporter of the farmers’ protests against the three contentious farm laws