The Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) has expanded its candidate list for the 2027 state elections, fielding controversial figures including Lakha Sidhana and Mandeep Singh Sidhu. The move signals a strategic push into the Malwa region under the leadership of Amritpal Singh's family.
- Lakha Sidhana named as candidate for Maur constituency.
- Mandeep Singh Sidhu, brother of late actor Deep Sidhu, to contest from Talwandi Sabo.
- Candidates announced by Tarsem Singh, father of jailed MP Amritpal Singh.
- Strategic shifts aimed at consolidating Panthic votes in the 2027 Punjab elections.
In a significant move ahead of the 2027 Punjab state elections, the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) has officially announced its candidates for key assembly seats. The party has fielded Lakhbir Singh Sidhana, popularly known as Lakha Sidhana, from the Maur constituency and Mandeep Singh Sidhu from Talwandi Sabo. These announcements were made by Tarsem Singh, the father of incarcerated Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who currently heads the party.
The selection process was reportedly fraught with internal tension, as both Sidhana and Sidhu had expressed a strong desire to contest from the Maur seat. While Sidhana is a familiar face in Maur, having contested the 2022 elections as a Samyukta Samaj Morcha candidate, this will be the first electoral outing for Mandeep Singh Sidhu. Party insiders suggest that Sidhu was eventually persuaded to move to Talwandi Sabo, acknowledging Sidhana's five-year grassroots presence in Maur.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the inclusion of Lakha Sidhana—a figure with a complex history ranging from criminal allegations to social activism—indicates the party's willingness to embrace polarizing figures to attract a specific demographic of disillusioned youth and radicalized voters. By fielding Mandeep Singh Sidhu, the party also attempts to reclaim the legacy of Deep Sidhu, despite Mandeep's previous public criticisms of Amritpal Singh's ideology.
The strategic deployment of candidates with high name recognition, regardless of their legal history, suggests a 'disruptor' strategy aimed at breaking the AAP-Congress-SAD triad in Punjab.
The party's roster now includes other notable names such as Papalpreet Singh from Majitha and Satwant Singh (son of Kehar Singh) from Bassi Pathana. The inclusion of Satwant Singh is particularly symbolic, given his father's role in the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, further cementing the party's alignment with hardline Panthic sentiments.
Lakha Sidhana's journey is one of the most controversial in Punjab's recent political history. A humanities graduate from Punjabi University, Patiala, Sidhana has faced over 25 criminal cases, including murder and kidnapping. However, he claims to have transitioned into social work, focusing on mass marriages for underprivileged girls and advocating for the Punjabi language. He gained national notoriety during the 2021 farmers' protests for his alleged role in the Red Fort violence.
Mandeep Singh Sidhu, a practicing lawyer from Muktsar, brings a different profile to the ticket. His brother, the late actor Deep Sidhu, founded Waris Punjab De, but later distanced himself from Amritpal Singh, accusing him of misusing the organization's name to promote separatism. Mandeep's decision to contest under the WPD banner marks a significant ideological shift or a pragmatic political reconciliation.
| Candidate | Constituency | Background | Key Association |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakha Sidhana | Maur | Activist/Former Gangster | Farmers' Protest/WPD |
| Mandeep Sidhu | Talwandi Sabo | Lawyer | Brother of Deep Sidhu |
| Satwant Singh | Bassi Pathana | Political Figure | Son of Kehar Singh |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is leading the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) currently?
The party is currently headed by Tarsem Singh, the father of MP Amritpal Singh.
Q2: Why was Mandeep Sidhu moved to Talwandi Sabo?
He was moved to avoid conflict with Lakha Sidhana, who had a stronger five-year established presence in the Maur constituency.
