Why more Khalistani sympathisers are contesting polls in Punjab this time

Chandigarh,UPDATED: May 9, 2024 23:05 IST

More Khalistani sympathisers are contesting the Lok Sabha elections this time compared to the 2019 general elections. Eight separatist hardliners, including Simranjit Singh Mann of Akali Dal (Amritsar) and jailed Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh, are trying their luck in various Lok Sabha segments, with two contesting from Karnal and Kurukshetra constituencies.

Interestingly, Simranjit Singh Mann's victory in the Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll in 2022 acted as a catalyst, prompting more to jump into the poll arena. He defeated the ruling AAP's Gurmail Singh by a margin of 5,822 votes. Mann has decided to contest from the same constituency again this time.

Mann is not alone in his contest; he has fielded six more candidates from various Lok Sabha constituencies. Khushalpal Singh Mann, Baldev Singh Gagra, Amritpal Singh Chandra, and Moninderpal Singh will contest from Anandpur Sahib, Faridkot, Ludhiana, and Patiala, respectively. Harjeet Singh Virk and Khazan Singh have been fielded from Karnal and Kurukshetra constituencies.

Another Khalistani separatist, Amritpal Singh, is also contesting the Lok Sabha election from Khadoor Sahib as an independent candidate. He is presently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA). His father, Tarsem Singh, claimed he is contesting the election at the request of his supporters.

Amritpal's supporters giving a tough time to Akali Dal (Badal)

Amritpal Singh is being supported by Simranjit Singh Mann and Paramjiti Kaur Khalda, who polled more than two lakh votes in 2019. Mann has even announced the withdrawal of his party nominee in favor of Amritpal. Late Deep Sidhu's brother, Sandeep Sidhu, is also canvassing for Amritpal and claims he is receiving a good response.

"Amritpal is getting an overwhelming response from the voters whom the Aam Aadmi Party betrayed in the name of change," Sandeep Sandhu said.

So, why did Amritpal choose only the Khadoor Sahib constituency as a battlefield? Simply because his ancestral village is part of this constituency, and there are hundreds of Khalistani sympathisers in the Tarn Taran belt.

Once a hotbed for separatist activities, the Tarn Taran belt is located along the India-Pakistan border. The Akali Dal has challenged Amritpal Singh by fielding senior party leader Virsa Singh Valtoha against him after his parents refused to support the party. Virsa Singh Valtoha, a former Khalistani sympathiser himself, is now reminding the people of the role he played during the insurgency.

Faridkot is also witnessing the candidature of another Khalistani supporter, Sarabjit Singh, who is the son of Indira Gandhi's assassin, Beant Singh. He has studied up to Class 12 and is fighting his fourth election. He previously contested elections from Fatehgarh Sahib and Bathinda and lost to the rivals. He is also a follower of Amritpal Singh and comes from a political background. His grandfather, Sucha Singh, and mother, Bimal Kaur, were also parliamentarians.

Sandeep Singh Sunny, who allegedly killed a Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri in 2022, is also contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Punjab. Sunny, who is also a supporter of Amritpal Singh, is contesting from Amritsar. Meanwhile, Simranjit Singh Mann has approached him not to contest the election and support his son Iman Singh Mann, who is keen to contest the election from the city.

Why Khalistanis Are Contesting the Lok Sabha Election

Simranjit Singh Mann and Amritpal Singh say they don't believe in the Indian constitution but are contesting elections under the same constitution. Simranjit Singh Mann reposed faith in the constitution and took the oath of office on July 18, 2022.

The strategy behind the decision to contest the election by the hardliner Khalistani elements is not just to enter parliament but to unite themselves. In Khadoor Sahib, all fringe elements have joined hands to consolidate the hardliner Sikh votes. Separatists like Simranjit Singh Mann are trying to unite the factions.

However, the administration is keeping an eye on their activities and recently blocked some of the WhatsApp groups created by Amritpal's supporters on charges of spreading hatred and anti-India propaganda.

Despite the presence of Khalistani ideologues and their supporters, only a few separatist elements were able to win elections and were mostly rejected by the voters in assembly elections.

Simranjit Singh Mann was able to win the 2022 bypoll. He had his six supporters win six Lok Sabha seats in 1989. Mann later won the 1999 Lok Sabha election from Sangrur. Whether the Khalistani sympathisers will be able to win the election this time will only be decided by the voters again.