Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Guriqbal Singh Mahal formally joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. The defection, which took place in Chandigarh, is widely viewed as a significant setback for the SAD, given Mahal’s reputation as an influential grassroots leader in the Qadian region. Political analysts suggest that Mahal may now be considered for a party ticket in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Electoral Performance and Background
In the 2022 Assembly elections, Mahal secured 41,505 votes from the Qadian constituency, finishing second behind Congress candidate Partap Singh Bajwa, who polled 48,679 votes. AAP candidate Jagroop Singh Sekhwan came third with 34,916 votes. Mahal’s strong performance underscored his local appeal, making his departure a notable blow to the SAD’s organisational strength in the area.
Defection Details and Reactions
Sources indicate that Mahal’s move to the ruling party was not entirely unexpected, with senior SAD leaders reportedly aware of his intentions. Speaking after joining AAP, Mahal stated, “Senior Akali leaders knew I was planning to shift allegiance to the AAP and were preparing to expel me from the party. When I learnt about the proposed action, I sent feelers to the Chief Minister. He responded positively and invited me to Chandigarh to formally join the party.” Mahal further disclosed that Chief Minister Mann is scheduled to visit Qadian on June 28, and a large number of SAD workers are expected to join AAP during that event.
Impact on Local Politics
In the recent civic body elections, the SAD, under Mahal’s leadership, won six of the 15 municipal wards but fell short of securing a majority. The Qadian Assembly constituency has traditionally been a stronghold of the Bajwa family. Apart from Partap Singh Bajwa, his wife Charanjit Kaur Bajwa and brother Fatehjung Singh Bajwa have also represented the constituency as MLAs. With Mahal’s departure, the SAD may face difficulties in finding a leader with comparable influence in the area, while the BJP’s organisational presence in the constituency remains limited.
