Khalistani activist and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh who is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail of Assam, is launching a political party along with Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa. Khalsa announced on Saturday that the official announcement of the political party will be made on 14th January at the ‘Panth Bachao-Punjab Bachao’ conference to be held on the occasion of Shri Muktsar Maghi Mela. The name of the party is said to be Shiromani Akali Dal Anandpur Sahib.
Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh will lead the party. He said, “We have convened a conference at Sri Muktsar Sahib on Maghi Mela in which a committee will be formed. It will be tasked with drafting the constitution of the new political party, deciding its name, establishing an advisory committee, creating district-wise committees, and handling the legal formalities required for the formation of the party.”
Tarsem Singh said that Amritpal Singh will lead the party when he comes out from prison, till then he will be the party chief.
Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Indira Gandhi’s assassin Beant Singh, said that initially, they will form a five- or 11-member committee to connect with people across the state. He added that the party will also contest in the elections for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Talking about the party, Khalsa said that people with good character and an intention to save Punjab can join their party. He said that the party would provide a political alternative to the people of Punjab. Tarsem Singh, father of Amritpal Singh, said that their party will address issues like drug abuse, religious conversion and farmer issues in the state. It was mentioned by Tarsem Singh last year in September that the people of Punjab needed a political alternative.
Who is Amritpal Singh and why is he in jail?
Amritpal Singh was arrested in April 2023 under the National Security Act and has since been lodged in a jail in Assam. In 2022, he became a popular name in Punjab after being appointed as the head of a political group named ‘Waris Punjab De’. Singh usually dressed similarly to Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and was linked with pro-Khalistani activities. He was arrested by the police after a month-long manhunt. He was implicated in the Ajnala police station attack in which police officers were assaulted by several armed men.
Amritpal Singh Lok Sabha elections last year from Khadoor Sahib constituency while in jail. He was granted 4-day parole to take oath as a member of Parliament. Singh had secured 4,04,430 votes which translated to 38.62% vote share.