In a setback to the Punjab Congress, two-time MLA from Moga Joginder Pal Jain on Wednesday quit the party and joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

After welcoming Jain into the party, SAD chief and Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal announced Jain as the party's candidate for the Moga bypoll.

The Moga assembly seat fell vacant after Jain submitted his resignation on Wednesday before formally joining the SAD in the presence of Sukhbir. His resignation was accepted by speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal.

Jain had resigned as per the anti-defection law, which guards against any legislator crossing over to another political party.

Sukhbir said Jain's joining the SAD was a shot in the arm for the party.