Ahead of Mandate 2027, Punjab is witnessing a new political contest as the Shiromani Akali Dal faces an emerging challenge from Amritpal Singh-led Waris Punjab De.
The rivalry is particularly significant in the Panthic political space, traditionally associated with the Akali Dal. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has repeatedly targeted Amritpal Singh and Waris Punjab De at political rallies, making the group a prominent target of his campaign. Sukhbir Badal has also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party is using Waris Punjab De to divide the Panthic vote. He has claimed that there is an understanding between AAP and the outfit – an allegation the two parties would need to respond to.
The battle between SAD and Waris Punjab De could therefore become one of the key sub-plots for the 2027 polls -with the contest increasingly moving from rallies and rhetoric to the ground-level battle for assembly constituencies. Amritpal Singh’s victory from Khadoor Sahib in the 2024 Lok Sabha election gave Waris Punjab De a major political foothold. The outfit is now seeking to expand its presence ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. For Waris Punjab De, the 2027 election will be the first major test of whether Amritpal Singh’s electoral appeal can be converted into a wider political organisation.
