Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) is an Indian unregistered political party formed by the supporters of Amritpal Singh, a Member of the Lok Sabha. It was launched on 14 January 2025 during Mela Maghi at Sri Muktsar Sahib by Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa under the leadership of Amritpal Singh. It is led by a 5-member committee consisting of Bapu Tarsem Singh, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, Amarjit Singh, Harbhajan Singh Tur, and Surjit Singh.
Establishment of Party Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the party founders, both contested the 2024 Indian general election from the Khadoor Sahib and Faridkot Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab, respectively. Both did not contest under any political party and were registered as Independent candidates, although Amritpal Singh received support from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), a pro-Khalistani political party. The two candidates contested the election on the basis of approaching major issues of concern, such as tackling the drug crisis in Punjab, the release of Sikh political prisoners, and demanding justice for the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib.
This message successfully resonated with the constituents of the respective legislative districts, as both candidates won the election with large margins, defeating popular contestants and opponents, such as Punjabi actor Karamjit Anmol in Faridkot. Amritpal Singh won in Khadoor Sahib with a margin of 197,120, which was the largest of all 13 constituencies in Punjab. These victories marked a pivotal moment in the political landscape of Punjab, as it was the first time since 1989 Indian general election that any candidates of Khalistani background, apart from Simranjit Singh Mann, were elected to the Lok Sabha, representing dissatisfaction with major political parties. Announcement of Party
After the general election, speculations spanning multiple months were appearing, which discussed the possibility of the formation of a political party by Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, due to their similar circumstances of victory, and the issues of top priority for their supporters. On 29 September 2024, Tarsem Singh, father of MP Amritpal Singh, confirmed the rumours by announcing the establishment of a political party in the near future, at Akal Takht.
On 4 January 2025, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa and Tarsem Singh announced the preparations for the launch of a new political party, scheduled to be officially launched on 14 January 2025 during Mela Maghi at Sri Muktsar Sahib, at a conference labelled 'Panth Bachao-Punjab Bachao'. The political party was originally planned to be formed under the name "Shiromani Akali Dal (Anandpur Sahib)", but it was announced at the conference that the party will be named 'Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)', tying it to the social and political organisation Waris Punjab De, run by Amritpal Singh, and founded by Deep Sidhu.
Shri Muktsar Sahib Declaration The Shri Muktsar Sahib Declaration is a manifesto containing a list of 15 resolutions that set the foundation of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), and laid out a general framework for the party to be structured in accordance to, in the months following its creation. This declaration describes the agenda that the party will work towards communicating to the people of Punjab, and their political objectives, along with the core values that will steer the direction of their campaigns. The declaration was announced and made public on 14 January 2025, at the party’s first political conference, held at Mela Maghi, Sri Muktsar Sahib.
Presence On 13 April 2025, coinciding with the celebration of Vaisakhi, the party held its second major political conference at Talwandi Sabo, where party leaders shared updates regarding the party’s activities in the last 3 months following its establishment, as well as discussed preparations for the 2027 Punjab election.
In July 2025, the party announced that it would contest the Vidhan Sabha by-election for the constituency of Tarn Taran, which was vacated by the death of MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. This would mark the party’s first contested election since formation in January 2025. The party stated that a strong 'Panthic' candidate would be nominated to contest the by-election. The party’s candidate for the Tarn Taran by-election was declared on 7 October, 2025, to be Mandeep Singh, the older brother of jailed Sandeep Singh Sunny. Mandeep Singh received endorsement from other Sikh political parties and organizations, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) faction led by Giani Harpreet Singh. He positioned in third place in the overall results, being defeated by AAP’s Harmeet Singh Sandhu.
In April 2026, the party formally entered into talks for an alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) for the 2027 Punjab election, with Manpreet Singh Ayali appointed as the conveyor of a coordination committee. On 17 May 2026, the failure of talks between both parties resulted in a dismissal of the alliance proposal.
On 28 August 2026, coinciding with celebrations of Guru Ladho Re Diwas, the party held its annual conference at Baba Bakala, where party leadership shared updates concerning the preparations for the approaching 2027 election and how the campaigning will unfold in the following 3-4 months. The party leadership responded to rumours and allegations stemming from rival parties, and listed campaign promises through the reading of a letter from Amritpal Singh, who stated that the party would release a White paper on the drugs crisis.
Protests On 29 July 2026, the party held a major protest in Chandigarh involving the participation of thousands of its leaders, workers, and supporters to demand the release of its leader, Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, as well as other Bandi Singhs (Sikh political prisoners). A main goal of the protest was to reach and conduct a Gherao of the residence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The protestors were met with water cannon and barricade from the police, many of which were breached. An FIR was registered by Chandigarh Police against Manpreet Singh Ayali, Bhaana Sidhu, Lakha Sidhana, as well as a dozen other members of the party. Dead Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur’s name was also included in the list of FIR registrees.
Joinings Manpreet Singh Ayali, MLA for Dakha, officially joined the party in June 2026, marking its entrance into Punjab Legislative Assembly. Former MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik was inducted into the party in June 2026 by MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali and Bapu Tarsem Singh. Iqbal Singh Sandhu, a senior secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) joined the party on 21 July 2026. Punjabi actor Rabby Kandola joined the party on 23 July 2026. Former MLA Dalbir Singh Verka joined the party on 3 August 2026.
Prominent Akali-rebel Iqbal Singh Jhundan officially joined the party on 13 August 2026, along with around a dozen other politicians, including former MLA Master Johar Singh. The party had previously entered into an alliance with an Akali faction led by Iqbal Singh Jhundan in July 2026. Former MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh was inducted into the party on 18 August 2026. Independent politician and former 2024 Barnala by-election contestant Gurdeep Batth, as well as singer Harpreet Singh Baba Beli, joined the party on 25 August 2026.
Former ED Deputy Director Niranjan Singh, as well as former DSP Balwinder Singh Sekhon, were inducted into the party on 23 September 2026 in the presence of Tarsem Singh and Manpreet Singh Ayali.
Party leadership
Presidents S. No.NamePortraitTenure 1 Amritpal Singh 14 January 2025IncumbentActing Tarsem Singh 14 January 2025Incumbent
5 Member Committee
NamePortraitRoles & Responsibilities Tarsem Singh Acting President Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa MP Faridkot Surjit Singh Amarjit Singh Zonal Incharge (Majha) Harbhajan Singh Tur Zonal Incharge (Majha)
Other notable spokespeople
Position NamePortrait Secretary General Mandeep Singh Sidhu Chief Spokesperson Imaan Singh Khara Zonal Incharge (Doaba) Paramjit Singh Johal Zonal Incharge (Malwa-I) Manpreet Singh Ayali Zonal Incharge (Malwa-II) Jaskaran Singh Kahan Singh Wala Zonal Incharge (Malwa-II) Lakhvir Singh Sidhana Major Campaigner Balwinder Kaur Sandhu
Current Assembly members Lok Sabha
S.No. Constituency Portrait Name Lok Sabha 1 Khadoor Sahib Amritpal Singh18th 2 Faridkot (SC) Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa
Punjab Assembly S.No. Constituency Portrait Name Assembly 1 Dakha Manpreet Singh Ayali 16th
2027 Punjab Legislative Assembly election
Candidates DistrictNo.ConstituencyCandidate Pathankot 1Sujanpur 2Bhoa 3PathankotGurdaspur 4Gurdaspur 5Dina Nagar 6Qadian 7Batala 8Sri Hargobindpur 9Fatehgarh Churian 10Dera Baba NanakAmritsar 11Ajnala 12Rajasansi 13Majitha Papalpreet Singh 14Jandiala Guru 15Amritsar North 16Amritsar West 17Amritsar Central 18Amritsar East 19Amritsar South 20Attari Tarn Taran 21Tarn Taran 22Khem Karan 23Patti 24 Khadoor Sahib 25Baba Bakala Kapurthala 26Bholath 27Kapurthala 28Sultanpur Lodhi 29Phagwara Jalandhar 30Phillaur 31Nakodar 32Shahkot 33Kartarpur 34Jalandhar West 35Jalandhar Central 36Jalandhar North 37Jalandhar Cantonment 38Adampur Hoshiarpur 39Mukerian 40Dasuya 41Urmar 42Sham Chaurasi 43Hoshiarpur 44Chabbewal 45GarhshankarS.B.S Nagar 46Banga 47.Nawan Shahr 48.BalachaurRupnagar 49Anandpur Sahib50Rupnagar 51Chamkaur sahibS.A.S Nagar 52.Kharar 53.S.A.S. NagarFatehgarh 54.Bassi Pathana Satwant Singh 55.Fatehgarh Sahib 56. AmlohLudhiana 57.Khanna 58.Samrala 59.Sahnewal 60.Ludhiana East 61.Ludhiana South 62.Atam Nagar 63.Ludhiana Central 64.Ludhiana West 65.Ludhiana North 66.Gill 67.Payal 68.Dakha 69.Raikot 70.JagraonMoga 71.Nihal Singh Wala 72.Bhagha Purana 73.Moga 74.DharamkotFerozpur 75.Zira 76.Firozpur City 77.Firozpur Rural 78.Guru Har SahaiFazilka 79.Jalalabad 80.Fazilka 81.Abohar 82.BalluanaSri Muktsar Sahib 83.Lambi 84.Gidderbaha 85.Malout 86.MuktsarFaridkot 87.Faridkot 88.Kotkapura 89.JaituBathinda 90.Rampura Phul 91.Bhucho Mandi 92.Bathinda Urban 93.Bathinda Rural 94.Talwandi Sabo 95.MaurMansa 96.Mansa 97.Sardulgarh 98.BudhladaSangrur 99.Lehragaga 100.Dirba 101.SunamBarnala 102.Bhadaur 103.Barnala 104.Mehal KalanMalerkotla 105.Malerkotla 106.AmargarhSangrur 107.Dhuri 108.SangrurPatiala 109.Nabha 110.Patiala Rural 111.RajpuraS.A.S Nagar 112. Dera BassiPatiala 113.Ghanaur 114.Sanour 115.Patiala 116.Samana 117.Shutrana
Results Year Leader Seats won Change in seats Popular vote Vote % Ref.2027Amritpal Singh Sandhu new
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