Robin Sampla joins AAP, signals political shift in Punjab

Amid discontent over denial of Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha seat ticket, BJP senior leader Vijay Sampla speculated to join Shiromani Akali Dal. His nephew Robin Sampla broke ties with the BJP and joined the AAP.

Robin Sampla, nephew of the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Vijay Sampla, has officially switched his allegiance to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Robin, who previously held the position of vice-president in the BJP’s Scheduled Caste wing, was welcomed into the AAP by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a ceremony where party MLA Raman Arora was also present.

This move by Robin comes at a time when there have been reports of strained relations between Vijay Sampla and the BJP. Vijay, a former Union Minister of State for Social Justice, was reportedly disappointed after being denied the BJP’s ticket for the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab. Despite these tensions, the BJP has been making efforts to retain Vijay’s loyalty.

Robin Sampla had gained significant attention for his advocacy on behalf of nearly 50 Scheduled Caste families in Latifpura, Jalandhar. These families faced eviction when their homes were demolished without prior notice last year.

Robin’s proactive approach to this issue led him to take the matter to the national panel for Scheduled Castes, drawing attention to the situation and causing some embarrassment for the AAP-led government.

The opposition had criticized the government’s handling of the situation in Latifpura, pointing out that the affected families were originally from Pakistan and had settled in the area after the Partition. This incident became a significant point of contention ahead of the Jalandhar by-election last year.

In addition to his advocacy work, Vijay Sampla had issued notices to the state government, urging action against Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak following allegations of “sexual misconduct” involving him and a young individual. The accusations had raised concerns about inappropriate behavior on the part of the minister.

As the political landscape in Punjab continues to evolve, with parties actively recruiting from each other’s ranks, Robin Sampla’s decision to join the AAP represents a noteworthy development. It underscores the shifting dynamics of the state’s political scene, as parties gear up for upcoming elections and vie for influence among voters.