Days after his release from the jail, Sanaur AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra on Sunday organised a religious ceremony, which turned into a political show of strength after a visit by Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to his residence.
Pathanmajra is working hard to gain ground in the backdrop of two FIRs and his subsequent arrest, all under the AAP regime.
While both the leaders kept their cards close to their chest, political observers see the visit as an opportunity for Pathanmajra — a former SAD leader —who is likely to shift sides given his recent utterances against the AAP top brass.
Though Pathanmajra had invited several leaders from across party lines, Sukhbir’s visit was being seen as the growing warmth between SAD and the incumbent Sanaur MLA.
With numerous Akali Dal leaders and workers also present at the event, speculation of political upheaval is rife in the Patiala district ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Interestingly, Surjit Singh Rakhra who recently joined AAP also attended the event and met Pathanmajra.
Meanwhile, AAP had appointed Ranjodh Hadana as its Sanaur in-charge in September 2025 and he continues to run the political show for the party and inaugurates new projects in the segment. Ever since his release from the jail, Pathanmajra has not spoken much about AAP and his future within the party.
Both Sukhbir and Pathanmajra refused to comment on the visit and the new bonhomie claiming that it was a “courtesy visit over a religious gathering”.
Last month, former minister and Akali leader Surjit Singh Rakhra had quit the SAD (Punar Surjit) and joined AAP. The ruling party was quick to sideline their former minister and sitting MLA from Samana, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, and gave the reins to Rakhra. The two neighboring segments — Samana and Sanaur — continue to be the epicenter of politics as for now.
