Rajmohinder Singh Majitha quits Akali Dal, joins AAP in Punjab blow
Synopsis
The Shiromani Akali Dal has lost one of its most prominent faces in Punjab's politically crucial Majha region — Rajmohinder Singh Majitha, former Rajya Sabha MP and head of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, has joined the AAP along with two other leaders. For Bhagwant Mann's party, it is a symbolic coup that combines legislative credibility with religious authority.
Key Takeaways
Rajmohinder Singh Majitha , former Rajya Sabha member and head of Chief Khalsa Diwan , joined the Aam Aadmi Party on 25 May .
Former RTI Commissioner Heminder Singh Majitha and Chief Khalsa Diwan member Sukhdeep Singh Majitha also joined the AAP.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed the leaders and called it a 'very significant addition' to the party.
The defections deal a fresh blow to the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in the Majha region, a traditional stronghold.
Mann invoked the vision of 'Rangla Punjab' , saying the new leaders' experience would strengthen the party's mission.
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader and former Rajya Sabha member Rajmohinder Singh Majitha joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday, 25 May, dealing a significant political blow to the Akali Dal in Punjab's Majha region. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally welcomed him into the party fold.
Who Joined and When
Alongside Rajmohinder Singh Majitha — who also heads the Chief Khalsa Diwan — two other prominent figures switched allegiance to the AAP: former RTI Commissioner Heminder Singh Majitha and Chief Khalsa Diwan member Sukhdeep Singh Majitha. Majitha constituency in-charge Talbir Singh Gill was also present at the joining ceremony.
What Bhagwant Mann Said
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described the development as a 'very significant and important addition to the Aam Aadmi Party family,' in a post on X. He said leaders and citizens from Punjab's religious, social, and political spheres were continuously gravitating toward the AAP, impressed by the state government's development work and pro-people policies.
Mann extended a 'warm and heartfelt welcome' to all three leaders and said their experience and commitment to Punjab's welfare would strengthen the party's vision of building a 'Rangla Punjab' — a prosperous and vibrant Punjab.
Why the Majha Region Matters
The Majha belt, which includes districts such as Amritsar and Gurdaspur, has historically been an Akali Dal stronghold and carries significant religious and political weight in Punjab. The defection of a figure of Rajmohinder Singh Majitha's stature — combining legislative experience, religious leadership of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, and grassroots credibility — represents a notable erosion of the Akali Dal's traditional base in the region.
This comes amid a broader pattern of opposition leaders migrating to the AAP since the party's landslide victory in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, where it swept 92 of 117 seats. The Akali Dal, which has struggled to rebuild after that rout, now loses one of its senior faces in a region it can ill afford to cede further ground in.
Impact on Punjab Politics
The AAP's consolidation of religious and social figures from across party lines signals an attempt to deepen its roots beyond electoral arithmetic. By bringing in the head of the Chief Khalsa Diwan — one of the most respected Sikh socio-religious bodies — the party gains symbolic credibility with the Sikh community ahead of future electoral cycles. For the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), the defection compounds an already difficult period of introspection and organisational rebuilding. The party is expected to respond, but no official statement had been issued at the time of reporting.
Point of View
And his move signals that the Akali Dal's traditional Panthic constituency is no longer a captive vote bank. The Badal faction has now haemorrhaged credibility in Majha — the very heartland that once defined its identity. Unless the Akali Dal articulates a compelling counter-narrative soon, it risks becoming a party of the past rather than a credible opposition in Punjab.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rajmohinder Singh Majitha?
Rajmohinder Singh Majitha is a senior Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader, former Rajya Sabha member, and head of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, one of the most respected Sikh socio-religious organisations. He joined the Aam Aadmi Party on 25 May along with two other prominent figures from the Majitha family.
Why is Rajmohinder Singh Majitha's defection significant?
His defection is significant because he combines legislative experience with religious authority as head of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, giving the AAP symbolic credibility within the Sikh community. It also deepens the Akali Dal's political crisis in the Majha region, a traditional stronghold the party has struggled to hold since its 2022 election rout.
Who else joined the AAP along with Rajmohinder Singh Majitha?
Former RTI Commissioner Heminder Singh Majitha and Chief Khalsa Diwan member Sukhdeep Singh Majitha also joined the AAP at the same event. Majitha constituency in-charge Talbir Singh Gill was present on the occasion.
What did Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann say about the new joinings?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called it a 'very significant and important addition to the Aam Aadmi Party family' in a post on X. He said the leaders had joined after being impressed by the AAP government's pro-people policies and development work, and that their support would strengthen the vision of a 'Rangla Punjab'.
What is the Chief Khalsa Diwan?
The Chief Khalsa Diwan is one of the oldest and most respected Sikh socio-religious organisations in Punjab, with significant influence over community affairs and religious matters. Its head joining a political party is considered a notable endorsement with symbolic weight beyond electoral politics.
