Akali Dal Waris Punjab De names Satwant Singh, son of Indira Gandhi assassination convict, as first candidate for 2027 election

The Akali Dal Waris Punjab De on Monday announced its first candidate for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election, naming Satwant Singh, son of Kehar Singh who was hanged in the Indira Gandhi assassination case, as its nominee from the Bassi Pathana constituency.

The announcement was made by Tarsem Singh, father of MP Amritpal Singh and working president of Akali Dal Waris Punjab De. MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa was also present on the occasion.

Party leaders said the decision was aimed at recognising and honouring families that had made sacrifices for the Panth and the community. The announcement comes amid criticism from some quarters that the party had been ignoring families of those who made sacrifices for Sikh causes, Tarsem Singh said.

Speaking on the occasion, Tarsem Singh said the party’s politics was not limited to seeking political power but was focused on Panthic principles, Punjab’s rights, and ensuring due respect and representation to families of those who had made sacrifices.

He said the announcement of Satwant Singh as the party’s first candidate from among such families had rejected the perception that the party was side-lining them.

“Respect for families of ‘martyrs’ cannot remain confined to statements. They must also be given an appropriate place in the party’s organisational responsibilities,” he said.

Tarsem Singh added that the party had also appointed Sukhwinder Singh Agwan, nephew of Satwant Singh who was convicted in the assassination of Indira Gandhi, as a member of its Parliamentary Board, giving him an important organisational responsibility.

Members of Kehar Singh’s family, including his elder son Rajinder Singh and grandson Puru Raj Singh, along with Sukhwinder Singh Agwan, Parkash Singh and Amarjit Singh Wannchari, also attended the event.