Raminder Awla, a three‑time elected representative from Jalalabad, announced his switch to the Shiromani Akali Dal during a ceremony in Chandigarh. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the party president, welcomed Awla and praised his past service in the constituency.
Awla’s move follows a decade‑long rift over ticket allocations in the Congress, when former state chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring criticised the party’s dynastic practices on 4 August 2025. The Congress high command had earlier selected Sher Singh Ghubaya for Ferozepur despite local objections that included Awla’s dissent.
The Ferozepur parliamentary seat has long been a battleground between the Congress and the Akali Dal. Awla’s entry is seen as a strategic gain for the Akali Dal, potentially tipping the balance in the border belt ahead of the 2027 elections.
Party officials have scheduled a special meeting on 12 November to outline Awla’s role in the upcoming campaign. Observers expect the move to energise Akali supporters and challenge the Congress’s foothold in the region.