DW BUREAU / chandigarh Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today received a major shot in the arm with old Akali war horse and former Convener of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) in Punjab, Jathedar Sucha Singh Chhotepur joining the party to strengthen regional aspirations and defeat conspiracies to weaken Punjab.Considered the most articulate champion of Panthic politics, peace and communal harmony, Jathedar Chhotepur straightaway issued a fervent and emotional appeal to "all Punjabi and Panthic forces to close ranks and unite under a single Akali flag to fight and defeat the vicious three-pronged attack by outsiders to 'vanquish Punjabi and Panthic Jazba.' Jathedear Chhotepur, adding that Shiromani Akali Dal alone could save Punjab and Punjabis from being turned into a zone of exploitation by Congress, BJPP and AAP, all parties of outsiders. The traditional Akali stalwart, who had quit the Barnala cabinet to protest police entry into Sri Harmandar Sahib in 1986, has been appointed Senior Vice president of SAD by the party president Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal. His candidature from the Batala assembly segment was also announced by the party president on the occasion.Welcoming him into "his mother party', Mr Badal said that Jathedar Chhotepur's return to the Akali fold symbolized the strengthening of the Panthic forces and the sentiment of peace and communal harmony in Punjab. "Chhotepur Sahib has always been a champion of Punjabi pride and has done the most to expose outsiders' conspiracies to divide the people of the state along communal lines. I have profound satisfaction today that the champion of unity of all Punjabis returns home when I am the chief sevadar of the party". Also present on the occasion included Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, Gurcharan Singh Babehali. Amarinder Singh Tur, grandson of Akali stalwart Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur, also joined the party along with Jathedar Chhotepur. Talking to media persons on the occasion, Jathedar Chhotepur said that the future of Punjab's unique cultural identity as well as peace, progress and prosperity were in danger of being hijacked by a vicious three pronged attack by non-Punjabi " invaders " (Dhaadvi") , the Congress, the BJP and the AAP. " All three want to usurp the destiny of Punjab by creating divisions, hatred and misunderstandings not only between two brotherly communities, the Hindus and the Sikhs, but also by engineering a civil war within the Sikh quom.  (editor@dailyworld.in)