Punjab: Amritpal Singh, Khalistani Activist Jailed Under NSA, Enters Poll Fray From Khadoor Sahib; SAD Chief Slams Him

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has accepted the nomination of pro-Khalistani and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh, who will contest as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib as per a report by The New Indian Express.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised Amritpal Singh, accusing him of contesting the election merely to secure his release from jail. “He is not a Bandi Singh,” Badal stated.

The term ‘Bandi Singhs’ refers to former Sikh militants who have been imprisoned for over three decades. The movement for their release began more than 10 years ago.

According to ECI data, Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan activist currently detained in Assam's Dibrugarh Jail under the National Security Act (NSA), filed his nomination on 10 May. He is running as an independent candidate from prison.

At a rally in Baba Bakala, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal questioned how someone who adopted the Sikh ‘chola’ and took ‘amrit’ just a year ago could represent the Panth, as opposed to the 103-year-old Shiromani Akali Dal with a long history of defending panthic values.

“How can we explain the sequence where a person is promoted, then arrested, and kept in custody only to be used as a candidate in the parliamentary elections to challenge the popularity of SAD?” Badal questioned.

“It is also noteworthy that Amritpal was allowed to file his nomination papers despite being incarcerated under the NSA in Dibrugarh,” Badal added.

This panthic seat, with 75.15 per cent Sikh voters, is considered crucial. Established in 2008, the constituency spans three regions — Malwa, Majha, and Doaba — and is often referred to as ‘Mini-Punjab.’

Historically, local voters have favoured ‘panthic’ SAD candidates. In this election, former MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha is contesting on the SAD (B) ticket, but Amritpal’s independent candidacy may affect Valtoha’s vote share.

Valtoha, however, is mounting a strong campaign, recalling his militant days and close ties with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Harpal Singh Baler of the Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar is expected to withdraw his nomination, with his party likely supporting the radical Sikh preacher.

Other candidates include AAP’s state transport minister Laljit Bhullar, Congress’s Kuldeep Singh Zira, and BJP’s Manjit Singh Manna.

This region has a history of supporting hardliners. In 1989, Simranjit Singh Mann won the seat in absentia while in jail, when Khadoor Sahib was part of the Tarn Taran constituency. Congress won in 1996, followed by SAD victories in 1998, 1999, and 2004.