Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)
Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Amritpal Singh |
| Lok Sabha Leader | Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa |
| Founded | 14 January 2025 |
| Ideology | Sikh nationalism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Saffron & Dark Blue |
| ECI Status | Unregistered |
| Seats in Lok Sabha | 2 / 543 |
| Seats in Rajya Sabha | 0 / 245 |
| Seats in Punjab Legislative Assembly | 0 / 117 |
| Party flag | |
 | |
| Website | |
| https://adwpd.org/ | |
Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) is an Indian political party formed by the supporters of Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistani politician and a Member of the Lok Sabha.[1][2][3] It was launched on 14 January 2025 during Mela Maghi at Sri Muktsar Sahib by Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa under the leadership of Amritpal Singh.[4] It is led by a 5-member committee consisting of Bapu Tarsem Singh, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, Amarjit Singh, Harbhajan Singh Tur, and Surjit Singh.[5]
Establishment of Party
This message successfully resonated with the constituents of the respective legislative districts, as both candidates won the election with large margins, defeating popular contestants and opponents, such as Punjabi actor Karamjit Anmol in Faridkot. Amritpal Singh won in Khadoor Sahib with a margin of 197,120, which was the largest of all 13 constituencies in Punjab.[10] These victories marked a pivotal moment in the political landscape of Punjab, as it was the first time since 1989 Indian general election that any candidates of Khalistani background, apart from Simranjit Singh Mann, were elected to the Lok Sabha, representing dissatisfaction with major political parties.[11]
Announcement of Party
After the general election, speculations spanning multiple months were appearing, which discussed the possibility of the formation of a political party by Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, due to their similar circumstances of victory, and the issues of top priority for their supporters. On 29 September 2024, Tarsem Singh, father of MP Amritpal Singh, confirmed the rumours by announcing the establishment of a political party in the near future, at Akal Takht.[12]
On 4 January 2025, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa and Tarsem Singh announced the preparations for the launch of a new political party, scheduled to be officially launched on 14 January 2025 during Mela Maghi at Sri Muktsar Sahib, at a conference labelled 'Panth Bachao-Punjab Bachao'.[13] The political party was originally planned to be formed under the name "Shiromani Akali Dal (Anandpur Sahib)", but it was announced at the conference that the party will be named 'Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)', tying it to the social and political organisation Waris Punjab De, run by Amritpal Singh, and founded by Deep Sidhu.
Shri Muktsar Sahib Declaration
The Shri Muktsar Sahib Declaration is a manifesto containing a list of 15 resolutions that set the foundation of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), and laid out a general framework for the party to be structured in accordance to, in the months following its creation. This declaration describes the agenda that the party will work towards communicating to the people of Punjab, and their political objectives, along with the core values that will steer the direction of their campaigns.[14] The declaration was announced and made public on 14 January 2025, at the party’s first political conference, held at Mela Maghi, Sri Muktsar Sahib.[15]
Party Leadership
Presidents
| S. No. | Name | Portrait | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amritpal Singh | 
|
14 January 2025 |
| Acting | Tarsem Singh | 
|
14 January 2025 |
Other Notable Spokespeople
| Named | Portrait | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Imaan Singh Khara | Chief Spokesperson of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) | |
| Balwinder Kaur Sandhu | Mother of Amritpal Singh, campaigner during 2024 election | |
| Mandeep Singh Sidhu | Lawyer, younger brother of Deep Sidhu, founder of Waris Punjab De |
List of Elected Officials
Lok Sabha
| State | Lok Sabha | Constituency | Portrait | Name | Election |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | 18th | Khadoor Sahib |
|
Amritpal Singh Khalsa | 2024 |
| Faridkot | 
|
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa |
References
- ^ "Amritpal supporters float political outfit Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)". The Tribune. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ Scroll Staff (15 January 2025). "Jailed Khalistan separatist Amritpal Singh launches new political party in Punjab". Scroll.in. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ Staff, Maktoob (15 January 2025). "Amritpal Singh launches new political party: Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)". Maktoob media. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ Bajwa, Harpreet (14 January 2025). "Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De): Jailed MP Amritpal Singh floats new political party". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ "Father didn't care and laid down his life, Sikh community pulled family through troubled times: Sarabjit Singh Khalsa". The Economic Times. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Punjab 2024: Is Amritpal Singh contesting just to get out of jail?". News Laundry. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Jailed but elected: Decoding Rashid, Amritpal Singh's Lok Sabha victories". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Jailed Amritpal Singh wins Khadoor Sahib seat". India Today. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Amritpal, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa — Sikh radicals' poll victories pose challenge for Mann govt". The Print. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Amritpal Singh's victory a reflection of people's disenchantment with mainstream parties in Punjab". Frontline Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Amritpal's father to float political party in Punjab". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Jailed pro-Khalistan MP Amritpal Singh to float a new political party on January 14". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) Official website". Akali Dal Waris Punjab De. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Akali Dal Waris Punjab De outfit floated in Muktsar". Deccan Herald. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.