Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans quits Congress, joins BJP, calls PM Modi 'babbar sher'

New Delhi: Noted Punjabi folk singer Hans Raj Hans on Saturday left the Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party chief Amit Shah at the party headquarters in the national capital.

After joining the party, he dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'babbar sher' (lion) and said, "I will fulfil my duty whatever responsibility is given to me."

Hans, who was with the Congress and Akali Dal earlier, said that he was influenced by several "revolutionary decisions" taken by PM Narendra Modi in the interest of the country and its people.

Hans, a Padmasri awardee, said under Modi's leadership, India is emerging as a front-runner on the world stage and it is a matter of pride for every Indian.

He said that under Amit Shah, the BJP has expanded and its popularity has been increased manifold.

BJP hopes that joining of the Sufi singer, who comes from Dalit community, will shore up support for the SAD-BJP combine in Punjab where state assembly elections are due next year. 

BJP is said to be locked in a tough fight with Congress and Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party.