The BJP received a major boost as former Akali MLA from Bathinda Rural Darshan Singh Kotfatta joined the party along with his supporters on Tuesday.The induction took place under the leadership of Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon.The joining ceremony was attended by Parampal Kaur Maluka, BJP candidate from Bathinda in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, state media head Vineet Joshi, Bathinda Urban district president Sarup Chand Singla and Bathinda Rural district president Gurpreet Singh Maluka.Several local leaders also joined the BJP, including Mintu Singh, sarpanch of Batti Patti Chak Attar Singh Wala; former zila parishad member Malkeet Singh Balluana; Gurtej Singh Rana, senior vice-president of Rampura Phul; former sarpanch Jagjit Singh Loolwai; Angrez Singh, president of the Gurdwara Committee Loolwai; and former sarpanches Jasvir Singh Jaisingh Wala, Pash Singh Batti Patti, and Balwinder Singh Phullomithi.Others who joined the BJP included Ankit Chawla, former chairman of the National Rajiv Gandhi Brigade from Bathinda city; former gram panchayat members Gurpyar Singh and Balraj Singh Chughke Kalan; Akali Dal youth leader Rampal Singh Chughke Kalan; Har Gurnaz Singh (Laddi) of Sardargarh; former youth president Gurcharan Singh of Deon village; and Harcharan Singh Kotfatta.BJP leaders said people from different sections of society were joining the party, impressed by its growing popularity and the policies of the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.