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The political turmoil regarding Punjab Assembly elections 2027 has already intensified. Elections are still about 6 months away but MP Amritpal Singh's party Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) has announced the name of its first candidate for the elections. The party has decided to field Satwant Singh, son of Kehar Singh, convicted in the assassination case of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, from Bassi Pathana assembly seat in Fatehgarh Sahib district. With this announcement, a new debate has erupted in the politics of Punjab.

Satwant Singh is contesting elections for the first time at the age of 61. He is a resident of Mustafabad village in Bassi Pathana area of ​​Fatehgarh Sahib. He is a retired bank officer and is entering electoral politics for the first time. The party announced his name during a joint press conference held in Amritsar. Amritpal Singh's father and party's working president Tarsem Singh and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa were present in it.

Who was Kehar Singh?

Indira Gandhi was assassinated after Operation Blue Star in 1984. Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31 October 1984 by her two bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. Satwant Singh's father Kehar Singh was among those convicted in the conspiracy to assassinate Indira Gandhi. In this case, Kehar Singh was hanged in Tihar Jail on 6 January 1989.

Keep an eye on panthak vote bank

With the announcement of the candidate, Waris Punjab De has not called it a mere election decision. Party working president Tarsem Singh said the organization would emphasize on Panthak principles, rights of Punjab and respect and representation of those families whom the party considers to be families that have made sacrifices for the community. The party also said that such families will not be given respect limited to public statements only, but they are also being given responsibilities in the organization.

According to the party, Satwant Singh's nephew Sukhwinder Singh Agwan has also been given responsibility in the party's parliamentary board. This step has been said to be part of the same strategy of the organization, under which it is being said to give political and organizational role to Panthak families.

first candidate made signs

This announcement is also important for Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) as the party has declared its first candidate for the 2027 assembly elections. The political base of the party is said to be mainly focused on issues like Panthic issues, rights of Punjab and Sikh political prisoners. The party is struggling for the release of Amritpal and the captive Sikhs and this is the party's first assembly election.

Won the election in 2024

Amritpal is in jail for attacking the police station. In 2024, he contested and won the elections from Khadur Sahib Lok Sabha seat from jail itself. Even in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, faces associated with Panthak politics had shown special influence in Punjab. The victory of Amritpal as well as Sarabjit Singh Khalsa from Faridkot had strengthened the presence of this faction in the state politics. Satwant Singh's candidature can strongly consolidate the party's Panthak vote.