Is Panthic politics returning to Punjab’s mainstream? The question gains ground as Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), led by Amritpal Singh, officially announced Mandeep Singh as its candidate for the Tarn Taran Assembly by-election, bringing the jailed leader’s faction directly into the electoral arena.
Mandeep Singh is the brother of Sandeep Singh ‘Sunny’, currently lodged in jail in connection with the murder case of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri. His nomination marks the first electoral foray of the Amritpal-led group, signaling its intent to translate Panthic mobilisation into political clout ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
With this, the November 11 bypoll has become a five-cornered contest, featuring candidates from nearly every major party in Punjab. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded Harmeet Singh Sandhu, a former MLA who recently joined the party. The Congress has named Karanbir Singh Burj, an agriculturist and local businessman. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has chosen Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, wife of senior leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put forward Harjit Singh Sandhu.
The bypoll was necessitated following the death of AAP MLA Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal in June this year. Counting of votes will take place on November 14.
Mandeep Singh’s candidature has generated considerable buzz in Tarn Taran, a region long considered a Panthic stronghold. Supporters within Waris Punjab De see his selection as a “continuation of the Panthic voice” that Amritpal Singh represents, while opponents argue it risks blurring the line between religious symbolism and electoral politics.
The move is also being read as a calculated assertion by Amritpal’s supporters to keep his ideology alive despite his incarceration under the National Security Act (NSA). “It’s about making sure the Panthic cause stays relevant in Punjab’s political discourse,” said a local observer from Tarn Taran, noting that Waris Punjab De retains considerable ground support in Majha’s rural belt.
Meanwhile, the newly formed Akali Dal led by Giani Harpreet Singh, the former Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, has yet to decide whether it will field its own candidate or back one of the existing contenders. Political analysts believe this decision could play a crucial role in how Panthic votes split across factions.
The Tarn Taran constituency, home to nearly 1.95 lakh voters, has often reflected the undercurrents of Sikh identity politics in Punjab. Once dominated by traditional Akali groups, it now stands divided among newer factions and emerging political narratives.
Observers say the bypoll will serve as a litmus test for the relevance of Panthic politics in contemporary Punjab. With multiple Akali factions in the fray, AAP seeking to consolidate its rural base, and Congress attempting a comeback in Majha, Tarn Taran is shaping up as much more than a routine by-election — it’s a contest over identity, ideology, and influence in the state’s changing political landscape.