A new political force rises from the margins of Punjab

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In a historic shift, candidates with Khalistani backgrounds won Lok Sabha seats for the first time since 1989. This electoral breakthrough paved the way for a new political party, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), which is now reshaping the legislative landscape of Punjab through a mix of religious identity and grassroots activism.

The party was officially launched on January 14, 2025, during Mela Maghi at Sri Muktsar Sahib. Bapu Tarsem Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa are among the five committee members heading this group, which was established by followers of Lok Sabha representative Amritpal Singh. The party's name ties it to the social and political organization Waris Punjab De, which was originally founded by Deep Sidhu. Its foundational ideology is encapsulated in the Shri Muktsar Sahib Declaration, a manifesto containing 15 resolutions that outline its political objectives and core values.

The party's emergence followed a significant electoral upset in the 2024 Indian general election. Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa contested as independent candidates and won by large margins. Amritpal Singh, in particular, won the Khadoor Sahib constituency with a margin of 197,120, the largest of all 13 constituencies in Punjab. Their victory was notable because it represented the first time since 1989 that candidates of Khalistani background, other than Simranjit Singh Mann, were elected to the Lok Sabha, signaling a deep dissatisfaction with established political parties.

Since its formation, the party has rapidly expanded its influence. It entered the Punjab Legislative Assembly in June 2026 with the induction of Manpreet Singh Ayali, an MLA for Dakha. The party has also recruited a diverse range of figures, including former MLAs, actors like Rabby Kandola, and even former law enforcement officials like former DSP Balwinder Singh Sekhon. While it has attempted to form alliances, such as a failed negotiation with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) in May 2026, it remains a distinct force focused on issues like the drug crisis, the release of Sikh political prisoners, and justice for the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib.

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