Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA from Dakha, Manpreet Singh Ayali, on Tuesday joined the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) organisation, listing the release of detained Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, freedom of Bandi Sikhs and progress of Punjab as his top agenda.
Ayali also ruled out any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He said the Akali Dal-Waris Punjab De would pursue all demands of Punjab, including Khalistan, in a democratic way.
The organisation’s working president and Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, welcomed him into the organisation.
Mandeep Singh Sidhu, brother of ‘Waris Punjab De’ founder Deep Sidhu, was also present and said Ayali’s joining was the start of the campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Since ‘Waris Punjab De’ is not a registered party, Ayali will continue to be an MLA of the Shiromani Akali Dal, which is led by Sukhbir Singh Badal.
“I will not resign from the Shiromani Akali Dal as of now,” Ayali said.
He categorically ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP. In response to another query on Khalistan as an agenda of the ‘Waris Punjab De’, Ayali said the organisation follows the Constitution of India.
Addressing mediapersons and workers, Ayali said he had joined hands with the ‘Waris Punjab De’ to take up issues of Punjab, the Sikh Panth and transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. He termed the Bhakra Beas Management Board unconstitutional.
Tarsem Singh said the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) was formed to save Punjab’s youth from drugs and unemployment. He said ‘Waris Punjab De’ was a sapling planted by singer-turned-activist Deep Sidhu.
“We are watering the plant and trying to save youth from drugs. Amritpal is innocent. He is wrongly jailed. I salute Punjabis for voting him to Parliament as Punjabis are against any highhandedness. He is not allowed to attend Parliament. He has not been released,” he said.
“We tried to unite with panthic leaders and Akali Dal-Punar Surjeet but it did not materialise. We welcome him (Ayali) in our organisation. We will invite more like-minded leaders to join us,” he added.
