Sukhbir Badal warns against AAP-Waris Punjab De pact as Punjab polls near

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has accused Waris Punjab De of teaming up with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to split the Panthic vote ahead of the Punjab assembly election. Addressing a party conference at Chhapar Mela in Dakha, Badal said AAP diverted its supporters to a Waris Punjab De gathering instead of holding its own political event, revealing an 'understanding' between the two. He also attacked rebel MLA Manpreet Ayali, who recently joined Waris, alleging he used police influence to get his candidates elected.

The National Herald reported that Waris Punjab De, led by jailed activist Amritpal Singh, has emerged as a new force in Panthic politics, attracting defectors from the Akali Dal and tapping into Sikh youth sentiment with slogans like 'bring Amritpal, chase out addiction'. The party has released its candidate list first, fielding Amritpal's lieutenant from Majitha and the brother of activist Deep Sidhu from Talwandi Sabo. However, it lacks a tested cadre and has not yet been registered as a party.

Sukhbir Badal also promised to fill three lakh vacant government jobs within a year, reverse the law allowing outsiders to work in government jobs, and provide interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh to youth. He demanded an independent probe into an alleged Rs 10,000-crore sand mining scam. The BJP has indicated it will contest the 2027 assembly election alone for the first time since 1996, adding to a crowded political field.