Chandigarh: Jailed MP and Pro Khalistani Amritpal Singh will contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections from two seats, with his party Akali Dal Waris Punjab De having finalised the decision, senior party leader Manpreet Ayali said.
Confirming the development, Ayali said the party’s parliamentary board would decide the two constituencies from which Amritpal would contest. He, however, made it clear that the jailed MP would contest from two seats.
Ayali said Amritpal could also contest from Dhuri, the Assembly constituency represented by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, but no final decision had been taken.
Amritpal is currently the MP from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in the Majha region. He won the 2024 Lok Sabha election with a record margin despite being lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam. His party has already declared him its Chief Ministerial face for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Four seats under consideration
According to party sources, four Assembly constituencies are currently being discussed for Amritpal’s candidature: Dhuri, Khadoor Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Rampura Phul.
Amritpal is reportedly interested in contesting from Dhuri. The seat is represented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
A contest from Dhuri would also put Amritpal directly against a prominent political face and could bring additional attention to the party’s campaign.
Why Malwa is important
The party is also considering a seat in the Malwa region because of its electoral importance. Punjab has 117 Assembly constituencies, with 69 of them located in Malwa.
The region has traditionally played a major role in determining the government in Punjab. Amritpal’s existing support base is considered stronger in the Majha region. Contesting from Malwa would give Waris Punjab De an opportunity to expand its organisational and electoral presence beyond its existing base.
A contest from a high profile constituency could also provide the party with greater visibility during the election campaign.
First electoral test for Waris Punjab De
The 2027 Assembly election will be the first major electoral test for Akali Dal Waris Punjab De.
The party is seeking to establish itself as an alternative to the Shiromani Akali Dal and attract a section of the Panthic vote.
Amritpal’s victory from Khadoor Sahib in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, despite his being in jail, gave the party a significant political platform. He secured the seat with a substantial vote share, demonstrating the electoral support he could attract from outside the traditional political establishment.
The party’s strategy for 2027 will now involve expanding that support across Punjab. However, Amritpal’s continued incarceration could limit his ability to campaign personally during the election.
Meanwhile, the question of his release has also entered the political debate. Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh has advocated Amritpal’s release, saying that his imprisonment could further increase his popularity.
The final decision on the two constituencies from which Amritpal will contest is expected to be taken by the party’s parliamentary board.
