Two-time MLA from Punjab’s Ferozepur Sukhpal Singh Nannu on Thursday quit the Bharatiya Janata Party, protesting against the Narendra Modi government’s three farm laws.
Nannu had won the Assembly elections on a BJP ticket in 2002 and 2007. However, he lost the two subsequent elections in 2012 and 2017.
Nannu was also former Chief Parliamentary Secretary of saffron party.
Addressing reporters at this residence, where the saffron flag had been fluttering atop for the past 54 years, Nannu broke down while talking about his decision, saying it was a tough call for him, reported The Tribune.
Nannu said that the saffron party’s state president Ashwani Sharma should be held responsible for the BJP’s present situation in the state, and alleged that the state leadership failed to keep the party flock together.
“Since the time the agri laws were passed, I was the first one who opposed those bills,” he said.
According to Tribune, there was speculation that Nannu might join the SAD, but he denied any such move, saying he was in no mood to join any political outfit for now. In the same vein, Nannu said he would take the final decision about his future course of action in consultation with supporters.
“The BJP flag had always remained atop my house,” The Indian Express quoted Nannu as saying. “But now I have removed it with a heavy heart and replaced it with a black flag to express my anger towards the Central government for not the resolving farmers’ issues to date.”
