Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Ex-ED Officer Quits Amritpal Party Over Constitutional Differences
Niranjan Singh used to be a senior officer with the Enforcement Directorate.
He joined Amritpal Singh’s political group in Punjab on September 23.
Four days later, according to one report, or five days later, according to another, he said he was leaving.
Singh said some disagreements were too important to compromise on.
He believes people in public life must follow India’s Constitution.
He supported the group’s concerns about drugs, corruption, gang crime and jobs.
He said some supporters had made statements he considered inappropriate.
Party leader Manpreet Singh Ayali said Singh left by his own choice and that the party had not argued with him.
Former Enforcement Directorate deputy director Niranjan Singh left Akali Dal Waris Punjab De shortly after joining it.
He cited non-negotiable differences and said public conduct must remain within the Constitution of India.
Singh said he supported the party’s positions on drugs, corruption, gangsters, extortion and police involvement in drug trafficking.
He said his concerns involved statements by some supporters, while describing the party’s top leadership as secular.
Party leader Manpreet Singh Ayali said Singh left voluntarily, denied any known disagreement and suggested he might be under pressure.
- Who
- Former Enforcement Directorate deputy director Niranjan Singh and the Amritpal Singh-led Akali Dal Waris Punjab De.
- What
- Niranjan Singh disassociated himself from the party, citing non-negotiable differences over constitutional conduct and statements by some supporters.
- When
- He joined on September 23 and announced his departure on Sunday; reports describe the interval as four or five days.
- Where
- Punjab, India.
- Why
- He said public conduct must remain within constitutional limits and objected to certain statements by party supporters.
Niranjan Singh’s Explanation
Party’s Response
Reason for departure
Niranjan Singh’s Explanation
Singh said he left because some differences were non-negotiable and public conduct had to remain within constitutional limits.
Party’s Response
Manpreet Singh Ayali said Singh left by his own free will and that the party had no disagreement with him.
Statements by supporters
Niranjan Singh’s Explanation
Singh said some people communicating publicly on the party’s behalf had made statements that were inappropriate and inconsistent with constitutional values.
Party’s Response
Ayali said he was unaware of the exact issue and suggested Singh might be under pressure.
Relationship with leadership
Niranjan Singh’s Explanation
Singh said his objection was not aimed at the party’s top leadership, which he still regarded as secular.
Party’s Response
The party did not identify a specific dispute and said it could not force anyone to remain a member.
- Person leaving
- Niranjan Singh, a former Enforcement Directorate deputy director
- Party
- Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, led by jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh
- Time in party
- Reports differ, describing his departure as four or five days after joining
- Stated concerns
- Drugs, high-level corruption, gangsters, extortion, police involvement in drug trafficking, law and order, and employment
- Main reason given
- Non-negotiable differences concerning constitutional values and public statements by some supporters
- Party plans
- The outfit plans to contest all 117 Punjab Assembly seats in elections due early next year
- Registration status
- The outfit had not yet been registered as a political party, according to the report
