Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Waris Punjab De Challenges Akali Dal Ahead Of 2027 Polls
Punjab has a new political contest before the 2027 Assembly election.
Waris Punjab De is led by Amritpal Singh.
He won the Khadoor Sahib seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
This gave the group a stronger political starting point.
The Shiromani Akali Dal has traditionally competed for Panthic voters.
Its president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, has strongly criticized Amritpal Singh and the group.
Badal also says the Aam Aadmi Party may be helping divide these voters, although this is an allegation.
The entry of MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali has helped Waris Punjab De become more visible in the Malwa region.
Amritpal Singh’s 2024 Lok Sabha victory from Khadoor Sahib gave Waris Punjab De a political foothold.
The group is seeking to expand beyond its Khadoor Sahib base before Punjab’s 2027 Assembly elections.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has called Waris Punjab De a “virus” and questioned Amritpal Singh’s credentials.
Badal has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party is working with Waris Punjab De to divide the Panthic vote.
Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali’s move to the group has increased its visibility in Punjab’s Malwa region.
- Who
- Waris Punjab De, led by Amritpal Singh, is challenging the Shiromani Akali Dal, led by Sukhbir Singh Badal; Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali has joined the group.
- What
- A political contest is developing between Waris Punjab De and the Shiromani Akali Dal for influence among Punjab’s Panthic electorate.
- When
- The contest is building ahead of Punjab’s 2027 Assembly polls, after Amritpal Singh’s 2024 Lok Sabha victory.
- Where
- Punjab, including Khadoor Sahib and the Malwa region.
- Why
- Waris Punjab De is seeking to expand its political presence, while the Akali Dal is trying to retain its traditional Panthic political space.
Shiromani Akali Dal’s Position
Waris Punjab De’s Position
Claim to Panthic political space
Shiromani Akali Dal’s Position
The Akali Dal is seeking to retain the Panthic political space traditionally associated with it and portrays Waris Punjab De as a challenge to that role.
Waris Punjab De’s Position
Waris Punjab De is seeking to build an alternative Panthic identity and expand beyond Amritpal Singh’s Khadoor Sahib base.
Political alliance allegation
Shiromani Akali Dal’s Position
Sukhbir Singh Badal alleges that the Aam Aadmi Party is using Waris Punjab De to divide the Panthic vote.
Waris Punjab De’s Position
The articles describe this as an allegation by Badal; no response from the Aam Aadmi Party or Waris Punjab De is provided.
Leadership and credentials
Shiromani Akali Dal’s Position
Badal has questioned Amritpal Singh’s political credentials and criticized him over the 2023 Ajnala incident and his political rise after returning from Dubai.
Waris Punjab De’s Position
Amritpal Singh’s 2024 Lok Sabha victory and Manpreet Singh Ayali’s entry have strengthened Waris Punjab De’s political visibility.
- Main challenger
- Waris Punjab De, led by Amritpal Singh
- Traditional rival
- Shiromani Akali Dal
- Key election
- Punjab Assembly polls in 2027
- Amritpal Singh’s 2024 result
- Won the Lok Sabha seat from Khadoor Sahib
- New political entrant
- Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali joined the Waris Punjab De camp
- Political flashpoint
- The groups competed for visibility at the Chhapar Mela
- Akali Dal allegation
- Sukhbir Singh Badal alleges an understanding between the Aam Aadmi Party and Waris Punjab De