Chandigarh: Amritpal Singh, president of ‘Waris Punjab De’ group which was formed by late actor turned political activist Deep Sidhu, is set to contest Lok Sabha election from Khadoor Sahib constituency. Punjab government led by CM Bhagwant Mann informed Punjab and Haryana High Court last week that it was taking requisite steps to ensure that Amritpal Singh was able to file his nomination papers with the Returning Officer of Election Commissioner of India (ECI). Notably, Amritpal Singh along with 9 others is detained at Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA).
From Rejecting Electoral Participation to Announcing Candidature:
Amritpal Singh, who had earlier (before his detention) rejected the idea of his participation in the Indian electoral system, announced a few weeks back through his lawyer Rajdev Singh Khalsa that he would contest Indian Parliamentary elections from Khadoor Sahib constituency. Amritpal Singh’s parents later confirmed the announcement.
Amritpal Singh’s Lawyer Negates the Armed Struggle:
Rajdev Singh Khalsa who had joined Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, a wing of the Rashriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) in 2015, in a recent interview with Punjabi journalist Yadwinder Karfew of Pro-Punjab TV negated the Sikh armed struggle of 1980s-1990s as ‘result-less’ and advocated Sikh participation in Indian electoral system as the only solution.
Parents Leading Campaigns along with Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra
In his absence, Amritpal Singh’s parents are leading his election campaign. Human Rights activist and cheif of Khalra Mission Organization (KMO), Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra is also canvassing for him. She had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from the same constituency.