4 days on, ex-ED officer Niranjan Singh quits Amritpal’s party over ‘non-negotiable’ issues

Former Enforcement Directorate deputy director Niranjan Singh has resigned from the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, a party led by jailed MP Amritpal Singh, citing "non-negotiable differences" on certain issues. This occurred four days after his joining. Niranjan Singh expressed his disassociation from the party in a Facebook post, stating that while he had supported the party on issues such as drug menace, corruption, gangsters, and police involvement in drug trafficking, there were non-negotiable issues he could not agree with.

The conduct of individuals in public life, he emphasized, must adhere to the Constitution of India, which he deemed non-negotiable. Niranjan Singh, who had previously accused traditional parties in Punjab of inaction against drug smugglers, joined the Akali Dal WPD on September 23 alongside party leaders. The newly formed Akali Dal WPD aims to broaden its appeal and contest all 117 seats in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Despite not being officially registered as a political party, it has already announced several candidates, including gangster-turned activist Lakhbir Singh Sidhana, Amritpal Singh's brother Mandeep Singh Sidhu, and Papalpreet Singh. Niranjan Singh, who retired in May 2021 after investigating high-profile drug cases, stated that the Constitution of India is non-negotiable for him.

He did not specify any individual as the reason for his departure, but clarified that it was his personal belief that whatever should be done must be within the limits of the Constitution.