Amritpal Singh's Waris Punjab De fields Indira Gandhi assassination convict's son for 2027 Punjab elections

Amritpal Singh's political party, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), has announced Satwant Singh as their first candidate for the upcoming Punjab assembly elections scheduled to take place early next year. Satwant, who is 61 years old, will contest from the Bassi Pathana constituency located in the Fatehgarh Sahib district. Born in Mustafabad village of Bassi Pathana, Satwant serves as a retired bank official.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference held in Amritsar, jointly organized by Tarsem Singh, the acting president of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and Amritpal's father, as well as Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, Faridkot MP.

Satwant Singh's selection comes in the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh on October 31, 1984. Kehar Singh, the mastermind behind the assassination plot, was convicted and executed alongside Satwant on January 6, 1989.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, Beant Singh's son, secured a seat from the Faridkot constituency as an independent candidate. Meanwhile, Amritpal Singh, the founder of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), emerged victorious from the Khadoor Sahib constituency, thereby representing a resurgence of radical Panthic sentiment within Punjab politics.

In 2024, Satwant had actively campaigned for Sarabjit Singh Khalsa. The party's agenda for the upcoming polls, according to Tarsem Singh, does not solely revolve around securing political power. Instead, the primary focus is centered on Panthic principles, rights of Punjab, and acknowledging the contributions and dignity of families associated with sacrifices for the community.

In response to recent political criticism alleging that the party is distancing itself from families linked to past sacrifices, Tarsem Singh emphasized that nominating Satwant's son is a clear demonstration of the party's commitment. The party has also pledged to give organizational responsibilities to family members of those who have made such sacrifices.

As part of the party's organizational drive, Satwant's nephew, Sukhwinder Singh Agwan, has been appointed to the parliamentary board. The Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) reaffirmed that its campaign for the state elections will continue to focus on regional rights, Sikh political prisoners, and representation for prominent Panthic families.