The recent Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections in Punjab have thrown up a significant political development, with candidates backed by controversial figure Gurpreet Singh Sekhon registering a strong performance. The polls, held on December 14, saw Sekhon's family members secure victories, highlighting his growing political influence in the Ferozepur region.
Family Members Secure Decisive Victories
In a direct foray into electoral politics, Gurpreet Singh Sekhon fielded close family members for the Zila Parishad seats. His wife, Mandeep Kaur, contested from the Bajidpur seat, while a close relative, Kuljeet Kaur, stood from the Ferozeshah seat. The results were emphatic. Mandeep Kaur won the Bajidpur Zila Parishad seat by a commanding margin of over 3,000 votes. Kuljeet Kaur secured an even larger victory on the Ferozeshah seat, winning by over 8,500 votes.
Reacting to the win, Mandeep Kaur stated that the results were a reflection of public support and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of trying to corner them. Ferozepur district has a total of four Zila Parishad seats.
Strategic Alliance and Widespread Support in Block Polls
The political maneuvering extended beyond the Zila Parishad. In the Ghall Khurd block of Ferozepur, Sekhon had fielded a total of 23 candidates for the Block Samiti polls. According to reports filed at the time, fourteen of these candidates had emerged victorious, indicating a deep-rooted network of support.
A key factor in this performance was the strategic support from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The party consciously decided not to field candidates against those backed by Sekhon. Joginder Singh Jindu, the SAD president of the Ferozepur unit and a former MLA from Ferozepur Rural, explained the decision. He stated that the party did not put up candidates against Sekhon's family members or other supported nominees. Jindu also alleged misuse of power by the administration and attempts by AAP MLA Rajnish Dahiya to derail their campaign, asserting that the results spoke for themselves.
Sekhon acknowledged this support, expressing gratitude to the Shiromani Akali Dal for backing him wholeheartedly throughout the campaign.
The Controversial Figure Behind the Wins
The electoral success brings the spotlight back onto Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, a resident of Mudki village in Ferozepur. Sekhon is infamously known as one of the masterminds behind the sensational 2016 Nabha jailbreak. Once listed among Punjab's most-wanted gangsters, he is currently out on bail and has been actively attempting to reshape his public image as a social and political figure.
His political ambitions were recently underscored when he announced his intention to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Over the past two years, he has engaged in local welfare activities, including distributing ration, cattle feed, and relief materials to farmers during floods.
His political journey hit a temporary hurdle just days before the polls. Based on a complaint by an AAP sarpanch, Mandeep Singh, who alleged threats from Sekhon, the Ferozepur police placed him under preventive detention on December 11. However, he was released on December 12 following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court after his mother filed a petition. His swift return to the campaign trail culminated in the significant electoral gains for his supported candidates.
