Chandigarh, June 9
Punjab’s political landscape witnessed a significant development on Tuesday with three-time MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali joining the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), led by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh. The move comes just weeks after Ayali resigned from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), a breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Ayali formally joined the party in the presence of Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa.
A three-time legislator from the Dhaka Assembly constituency in Ludhiana, Ayali had resigned from all positions in the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) on May 20. His decision to join Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) comes at a time when political parties in Punjab are preparing for the Assembly elections due early next year.
Speaking after joining the party, Ayali said he would continue to raise issues concerning Punjab, including the release of Bandi Singhs, unemployment, and law and order. He also stressed the need for Panthic unity and collective efforts to address matters affecting the Sikh community and the state.
Welcoming Ayali into the party, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa said his induction would strengthen the organization. He described Ayali as an experienced political leader with a clean public image and said his presence would contribute to the party’s growth.
Tarsem Singh also welcomed Ayali and expressed confidence that his experience and political background would benefit the party.
Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) was formed last year and is led by Amritpal Singh, who is currently lodged in a jail in Assam in connection with the 2023 Ajnala Police Station attack case.
Ayali was also a member of the committee appointed by the Akal Takht on December 2, 2024, to oversee the membership drive and supervise the reorganization of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
With Punjab heading towards Assembly elections next year, Ayali’s move is expected to add a new dimension to the state’s evolving political equations.
