Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has unveiled its final trump card for the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat on Sunday, revealing none other than party stalwart and spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha as its chosen contender. The announcement comes amidst swirling speculation surrounding SAD’s potential move to back the candidature of Amritpal Singh, known for his affiliations with Khalistani sentiments, who is set to enter the electoral arena as an Independent from the same seat.
Valtoha, a former MLA from Khadoor Sahib, brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously served in various political capacities, including as a Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the SAD-led Punjab Government. His nomination underscored SAD's commitment to fielding candidates with a strong background in panthic politics, ensuring representation that aligned with the party's core values and ideologies.
The announcement followed deliberations within the Akali Dal's political affairs committee in Amritsar. It reflected the party's strategic approach to the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, prioritizing candidates who can effectively advocate for the interests of Punjab and its people at the national level.
The decision not to back Amritpal Singh, who is currently incarcerated in Assam Jail, as an Independent candidate for the Khadoor Sahib seat signified a calculated move by SAD to maintain its independence and focus on its own electoral strategy. While there were initial discussions regarding extending support to Amritpal, the party ultimately opted to contest the seat independently, reaffirming its commitment to representing the aspirations of the Sikh community in Punjab.
With this, SAD has also announced its candidates for all 13 constituencies in Punjab for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party has fielded former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Bathinda; former Minister Daljit Cheema from Gurdaspur; former Minister Anil Joshi from Amritsar, former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra from Anandpur Sahib, former MLA Iqbal Singh Jhoonda from Sangrur, former MLA NK Sharma from Patiala; Bikramjit Singh Khalsa from Fatehgarh Sahib, and Rajwinder Singh from Faridkot, among others.
