Sukhbir Singh Badal isn’t mincing words anymore. The SAD president has officially designated Waris Punjab De (WPD) as a 'virus' infecting Punjab’s political ecosystem, a stark escalation from previous vague criticisms. This shift marks a turning point in the state’s political landscape, where the traditional rivalry with AAP and BJP is now complicated by a new, aggressive challenger from within the Panthic sphere. Badal’s rhetoric at recent rallies has moved beyond general opposition to targeted attacks on Amritpal Singh’s character and credentials, questioning his legitimacy after his return from Dubai.
The stakes are high because WPD is no longer just a regional curiosity. Amritpal Singh’s victory from Khadoor Sahib in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections gave the outfit a concrete electoral mandate, transforming it from a social movement into a political force. Now, the group is actively seeking to expand its presence ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls, aiming to capture the Panthic vote that has historically been SAD’s stronghold. Badal alleges that AAP is leveraging WPD to divide this vote bank, a claim that, if true, would fundamentally alter the alliance math in Punjab.
The battle has moved beyond the Khadoor Sahib base to the fertile Malwa region. Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali’s recent defection to WPD has provided the outfit with significant visibility and local political machinery in Malwa, a critical area for the 2027 mandate. Ayali’s entry has forced Badal to intensify his attacks, now targeting both Amritpal and Ayali, questioning their religious and political positioning. This dynamic was clearly visible at the Chhapar Mela, where the two groups emerged as prominent, competing formations, signaling that the contest for the Panthic electorate is becoming a head-to-head clash.
For the Akali Dal, the threat is existential. It’s no longer just about fighting AAP, Congress, and BJP; it’s about retaining its traditional identity against a new formation seeking to build an alternative Panthic narrative. For Waris Punjab De, 2027 will be the first major test of whether Amritpal Singh’s personal appeal can translate into a viable, wider political organization. The coming months will see this rivalry move from rallies to the ground-level battle for assembly constituencies, with both parties vying to define who truly represents the Panthic vote.