# From Akali Roots to Saffron Fold: Ex-SAD General Secretary Jagdeep Singh Cheema Joins BJP Amid Punjab's Political Shuffle
In a move that's sending ripples through Punjab's already turbulent political waters, former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) General Secretary Jagdeep Singh Cheema has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just weeks after his expulsion from the Akali ranks. The switch, which took place on October 13, 2025, in Chandigarh, was marked by a high-profile welcome from Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma. Coming at a time when the BJP is aggressively expanding its footprint in Punjab ahead of future elections, Cheema's defection is seen as a strategic coup, blending legacy Akali influence with Modi's development narrative.
This isn't just another party-hop; it's a fourth-generation Akali's bold pivot, highlighting the deepening fault lines within SAD and the BJP's knack for poaching disgruntled regional heavyweights. As Punjab grapples with AAP's governance critiques and SAD's internal strife, Cheema's entry could bolster BJP's outreach in rural and urban pockets alike.
## The Backstory: A Legacy Leader's Fall from SAD Grace
Jagdeep Singh Cheema isn't a political novice—he's the son of former Punjab minister Randhir Singh Cheema, carrying the weight of a family entrenched in Akali politics for decades. His own electoral forays have been gritty but fruitless: He contested the 2012 Assembly elections from Amloh and the 2022 polls from Fatehgarh Sahib, both on an SAD ticket, only to face defeats that underscored the party's waning clout.
The tipping point came two weeks ago when SAD expelled him for "anti-party activities," a charge that Cheema dismissed as politically motivated. Sources close to the matter suggest his outspoken criticism of SAD's leadership and perceived alignment with BJP's ideology played a role in the ouster. On X, reactions poured in, with one user noting, "In a significant political development, two weeks after being expelled from SAD for 'anti-Party activities', former SAD General Secretary Jagdeep Singh Cheema joins BJP." Another post highlighted the warmth of his induction: "Ex-Akali leader Jagdeep Cheema joins BJP, Ashwini Sharma, Saini welcome him."
Cheema's move echoes a pattern of Akali defections to BJP, reminiscent of earlier shifts like Nidhark Singh Brar's 2022 jump from SAD (Sanyukt). But this one feels personal—rooted in ideological drift and a quest for relevance in a post-farm-law alliance breakup era.
## The Ceremony: A Star-Studded Saffron Welcome
The joining event at Sector 37 in Chandigarh was anything but low-key. Haryana CM Nayab Saini, who personally facilitated Cheema's entry, lauded him as a "valuable addition" to the party's Punjab expansion drive. Flanked by heavyweights like Ravneet Bittu—a former Congress MP turned BJP loyalist—and Ashwani Sharma, the former Punjab BJP chief, Saini emphasized unity under Modi's vision: "Cheema's experience will strengthen our commitment to Punjab's development."
Videos from the event, shared widely on X, captured the moment: Cheema donning the BJP scarf amid applause, with Saini quipping about bridging Akali legacies with BJP's progressive agenda. One clip, posted by Haryana Says, declared: "इस अकाली नेता को भाजपा में लाए सीएम सैनी..." (This Akali leader was brought into BJP by CM Saini), underscoring the cross-state camaraderie.
Cheema, for his part, didn't hold back on his motivations. In his address, he slammed the AAP government's "development failures," accusing it of stalling infrastructure and farmer welfare initiatives. "I've embraced Modi's vision because it delivers real progress—unlike the empty promises plaguing Punjab today," he stated, drawing cheers from the gathering. His pledge to focus on organizational strengthening signals BJP's intent to leverage his grassroots networks in key constituencies.
| Key Figure | Role in Event | Notable Quote/Contribution |
|------------|---------------|----------------------------|
| Nayab Singh Saini | Haryana CM, Welcomer-in-Chief | "Cheema brings Akali depth to our development focus." |
| Ravneet Singh Bittu | Union Minister | Attended to symbolize national BJP backing. |
| Ashwani Sharma | Punjab BJP Working President | Welcomed as a "fourth-generation Akali ally." |
| Jagdeep Singh Cheema | New BJP Member | "Time to move from legacy to real action for Punjab." |
## Why Now? BJP's Punjab Playbook in Action
Cheema's timing couldn't be sharper. With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections on the horizon and BJP eyeing a standalone surge after its SAD split over farm laws, absorbing Akali defectors like Cheema is a calculated masterstroke. Punjab BJP has been revamping its unit, onboarding ex-Congress and now ex-SAD faces to broaden its appeal beyond urban Hindus to rural Sikhs and farmers.
Critics, however, see it as poaching from a weakened ally. SAD, already reeling from leadership tussles and electoral setbacks, faces yet another blow—its second high-profile exit in recent months. On X, the buzz is electric: Posts like "From Akali Legacy To BJP Vision: Jagdeep Cheema Joins BJP, Embraces Modi’s Development Agenda" reflect the saffron spin, while others decry it as "yet another SAD fracture."
For Cheema, it's redemption: From electoral also-ran to potential BJP organizer, his role could target SAD strongholds like Fatehgarh Sahib. Punjab's finance minister Harpal Cheema (no relation) had earlier accused SAD-BJP of "conspiring" for a comeback, but this move flips the script—making BJP the aggressor.
## The Road Ahead: What This Means for Punjab Politics
Cheema's induction isn't isolated—it's part of BJP's broader Punjab revamp, mirroring past absorptions like Gurpreet Kangar's from Congress. As he settles in, expect him to amplify critiques of AAP's "anti-farmer" policies and push BJP's infrastructure promises, from better irrigation to youth jobs.
SAD's response? Muted so far, but expect barbs about "betrayal." AAP, meanwhile, might double down on its "outsider" narrative against BJP. For voters, it's a reminder of Punjab's fluid alliances—where loyalty is as changeable as the monsoon winds.
In the end, Cheema's jump is more than a headline; it's a chapter in Punjab's endless political chess game. Will it checkmate SAD's revival, or just another pawn in BJP's grand strategy? As one X user put it: "Fourth-generation Akali Jagdeep Cheema joins BJP." The board is set—game on.
