The recent departure of Chandigarh’s Shiromani Akali Dal Lok Sabha candidate Hardeep Singh from the party could potentially help INDIA bloc candidate Manish Tewari. Singh has joined the Aam Aadmi Party.

The resignation of Hardeep Singh, the city president of the SAD and a three-term councillor, two days ago dealt a serious blow to the party, which was set to contest the Lok Sabha election from Chandigarh for the first time.

Councilor Hardeep hails from Ward Number 30, which includes Badheri and Butrela in Sector 41. In 2006 and 2011, his brother Malkiat Singh and father Gurnam Singh served as ward council members, respectively. Interestingly, both passed away while serving as council members. Following the passing of his brother, Hardeep was chosen to serve as the ward’s councillor in 2015, 2016 and 2021. He advanced to the position of Deputy Mayor and Senior Deputy Mayor. The lone SAD council member, who owns a tenting company, was scheduled to compete against Manish Tewari of the Congress and Sanjay Tandon of the BJP.