16
May
Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): — In a major political realignment that deals a severe blow to the traditional Akali factions in Punjab, veteran leader and former Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra formally shifted his allegiance to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday. The induction took place during a massive public rally in Samana, where Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann personally welcomed Rakhra, his family, and a large contingent of supporters into the party fold. Rakhra's high-profile defection comes barely 48 hours after he was expelled for anti-party activities by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), a breakaway faction led…