Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Amritpal Weighs Punjab Assembly Contests in Majha and Malwa
Amritpal Singh is thinking about running for two seats in Punjab’s next state election.
One possible seat is Khadoor Sahib in the Majha region.
The other could be in Malwa, a larger region with more Assembly seats.
His party is considering a direct contest against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a contest against Sukhbir Singh Badal, or a race in Talwandi Sabo.
The party says Amritpal could attract supporters in both Majha and Malwa.
It has named him as its candidate for chief minister.
However, the party has not made a final decision about his second seat.
Punjab’s election is scheduled for February 2027.
Amritpal Singh is reportedly considering contesting one Punjab Assembly seat in Majha and another in Malwa.
The Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) is weighing Khadoor Sahib in Majha and several Malwa options.
Possible Malwa contests include direct challenges to Bhagwant Mann in Dhuri or Sukhbir Singh Badal, as well as Talwandi Sabo.
The party has projected Amritpal as its chief ministerial candidate for the February 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Party leaders say his focus on drug addiction has helped him appeal beyond the traditional Majha-Malwa political divide.
- Who
- Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and his party, the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), are considering the contests.
- What
- Amritpal may contest the Punjab Assembly elections from Khadoor Sahib and one additional seat in Malwa.
- When
- The Punjab Assembly elections are slated for February 2027; the party’s second-seat decision remains pending.
- Where
- Possible constituencies include Khadoor Sahib in Majha, and Dhuri, Talwandi Sabo, or another seat in Malwa.
- Why
- The party says the strategy could demonstrate Amritpal’s statewide appeal, strengthen his chief-ministerial claim, and build the party as an alternative to the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Case for a Statewide Amritpal Campaign
Risks and Political Constraints
Appeal across regions
Case for a Statewide Amritpal Campaign
Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) leaders say Amritpal’s support on drug addiction issues could help him attract voters in both Majha and Malwa.
Risks and Political Constraints
Punjab politics has traditionally been organized around regional identities, with leaders generally contesting from their home regions; the proposed dual-region strategy would therefore be unusual.
Direct contest against a major leader
Case for a Statewide Amritpal Campaign
Party leaders believe challenging Bhagwant Mann could establish Amritpal as a serious chief ministerial contender and force the chief minister to focus on his own constituency.
Risks and Political Constraints
The party has not finalized this plan and is also considering a contest against Sukhbir Singh Badal or a run from Talwandi Sabo.
Building a political alternative
Case for a Statewide Amritpal Campaign
Party insiders say contesting Sukhbir Badal could help position the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) as an alternative to the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Risks and Political Constraints
The article says Amritpal’s second-seat choice may be aimed as much at building a statewide narrative as at winning an individual Assembly seat.
- Proposed Majha seat
- Khadoor Sahib, which lies within Amritpal Singh’s parliamentary constituency
- Possible Malwa seats
- Dhuri, Talwandi Sabo, or another constituency in Malwa
- Election timing
- Punjab Assembly elections are slated for February 2027
- Party’s CM candidate
- The Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) has projected Amritpal Singh as its chief ministerial candidate
- Possible rival in Dhuri
- Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann
- Other possible rival
- Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal
- Current legal status
- Amritpal is lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam in connection with the Ajnala police station attack case