Congress fancies chances in 2027 Punjab elections

The launch of Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh’s outfit is likely to split hardline Sikh voters who had drifted to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in the last Assembly poll, said Congress sources who see a window of opportunity for their party in the 2027 state elections.

‘Only time will tell’

The Shiromani Akali Dal has lost its political ground. But it would be premature to comment on the new outfit and only time will tell how their agenda shapes.

Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Punjab Congress Chief

The supporters of the MP, who is currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), launched Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) at a political rally during Maghi Mela in Muktsar.

Faridkot Lok Sabha MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, who is the son of one of the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was also instrumental in the launch.

The party launch has come months after Khalsa and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal won their Lok Sabha contests by big margins against the traditional political parties.

The development is being seen in political circles as an attempt to replace the Shiromani Akali Dal, which has always claimed to be the sole representative of the Sikh community.

However, while several Congress leaders admitted in private that the new regional outfit could prevent the consolidation of the Panthic voters, they expressed doubts about its future agenda.

State Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring too said it would be premature to comment on it right now. “The Shiromani Akali Dal has lost its political ground. But it would be premature to comment on the new outfit and only time will tell how their agenda shapes,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, said though there was no harm in creating a new Akali Dal, the new party should refrain from adopting a fundamentalist approach.

“Punjab is already facing multitude of problems like drug abuse and poor law and order. Any further escalation through a political outfit would vitiate the atmosphere,” he added.

A senior party leader, who did not wish to be named, said the BJP may be the force behind the new party.

“Sukhbir Badal’s SAD and the rebel Akalis under the banner of Sudhar Lehar could not hold their ground. Now, Amritpal-led party has been floated. The BJP is trying a new cocktail in the Punjab politics,” the leader said.