Sukhbir Badal calls Waris Punjab De leaders imposters, targets CM Mann
Synopsis
At a Rakhar Punya rally in Baba Bakala, Sukhbir Badal went on the offensive on two fronts simultaneously — branding Waris Punjab De as agency-backed imposters exploiting Sikh symbolism, and levelling unverified corruption charges against CM Bhagwant Mann. The twin attack signals SAD's strategy heading into 2027: reclaim the Sikh voter by delegitimising every rival claimant to that identity.
Key Takeaways
Sukhbir Badal addressed a rally at Baba Bakala, Amritsar on 28 August to mark Rakhar Punya .
He called Waris Punjab De leaders imposters and alleged they were working as stooges of agencies to destabilise Punjab.
Badal alleged that jailed MP Amritpal Singh's family were active Congress members for over 36 years and never condemned attacks on Sri Darbar Sahib.
He levelled corruption charges against CM Bhagwant Mann , including alleged purchase of 2,500 acres in Australia and kickbacks from CLU approvals.
Badal also alleged that Mann's wife solicited ₹5 crore from a rapist — a charge not independently verified.
SAD pledged to form the government in 2027 and hold AAP leaders accountable for alleged drug mafia links.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Friday, 28 August launched a sharp attack on the Waris Punjab De outfit and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at a rally in Baba Bakala, Amritsar, calling the Waris Punjab De leadership imposters serving as agency stooges whose agenda, he alleged, was to drag Punjab back to the violence of the 1980s.
Badal's Charge Against Waris Punjab De
Addressing the gathering convened to mark Rakhar Punya, Badal said those projecting themselves as defenders of Punjab and the Sikh faith were, in his words, using religious symbols as cover for political ends. He alleged that the group's leader had sought to emulate Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale but stayed silent when a video purportedly showing Chief Minister Mann desecrating a photograph of Bhindranwale circulated publicly. 'Can anyone ask him why?' Badal said.
The SAD chief also alleged that jailed Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh and his supporters had evaded police before using the Guru Granth Sahib as a shield during a demonstration outside a police station — a characterisation he offered as evidence of the group's lack of genuine religious commitment.
Amritpal Singh's Family Background, According to Badal
Badal further claimed that Amritpal Singh's family had been active members of the Indian National Congress (Congress) for over 36 years and had never spoken out against the Congress-era attack on Sri Darbar Sahib or the subsequent genocide of Sikhs. He used this lineage to question the group's stated commitment to Sikh causes, contrasting it with SAD's record on the Bandi Singhs — Sikh prisoners whose release the party has long demanded.
'It is SAD alone which is continuously striving to ensure the freedom of Bandi Singhs. The Bandi Singh families also place their trust in us,' Badal said, adding that former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had refused to comply with the Supreme Court's directive to execute Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana.
Corruption Allegations Against CM Mann
Turning his fire on the state government, Badal levelled a series of corruption allegations against Chief Minister Mann. He alleged that Mann's wife had solicited ₹5 crore from a rapist — a charge that, if contested, has not been independently verified. He further claimed there was evidence that Mann had purchased 2,500 acres of land in Australia and earned crores in kickbacks by approving change of land use (CLU) permissions, in addition to allegedly taking payments for postings and transfers.
'I assure you that he will be held accountable for these corrupt activities,' Badal said, warning that AAP leaders allegedly receiving payments from the drug mafia would also face accountability once SAD forms the government in 2027.
What This Signals for Punjab Politics
The Baba Bakala rally underscores SAD's effort to reclaim its religious and political base ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, positioning itself as the only credible voice for Sikh interests against both AAP and newer outfits like Waris Punjab De. This comes amid a broader churn in Punjab's political landscape, where Amritpal Singh's jailed status and his Lok Sabha victory have given his supporters a platform that cuts into SAD's traditional constituency. The battle for the Sikh vote — long SAD's stronghold — is shaping up to be the defining contest of the next election cycle.
Point of View
SAD attempts to neutralise the one narrative that has genuinely hurt it — that it no longer speaks for the Sikh street. The corruption charges against Mann are serious in their specificity, but without documentary evidence in the public domain, they remain political allegations. The deeper story is that SAD is fighting a two-front war for its own survival: against AAP in government and against Waris Punjab De for the devotional Sikh vote. Losing either battle in 2027 could reduce SAD to a marginal force in the state it once defined.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sukhbir Badal say about Waris Punjab De at the Baba Bakala rally?
Sukhbir Badal called Waris Punjab De leaders imposters who were allegedly serving as agency stooges to weaken SAD and return Punjab to the violence of the 1980s. He alleged their leader mimicked Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale but stayed silent on a video purportedly showing CM Bhagwant Mann desecrating Bhindranwale's photograph.
What allegations did Badal make against CM Bhagwant Mann?
Badal alleged that Mann's wife solicited ₹5 crore from a rapist, that Mann purchased 2,500 acres of land in Australia, and that he earned crores in kickbacks through change of land use approvals and payments for postings and transfers. These charges have not been independently verified.
What did Badal say about jailed MP Amritpal Singh?
Badal claimed Amritpal Singh and his supporters fled police before using the Guru Granth Sahib as a shield during a protest outside a police station. He also alleged that Amritpal's family were active Congress members for over 36 years and never condemned the Congress-era attack on Sri Darbar Sahib or the genocide of Sikhs.
What is SAD's position on the Bandi Singhs?
SAD has long demanded the release of Bandi Singhs — Sikh prisoners — and Badal reiterated at the rally that his party is the only political force consistently pursuing their freedom. He cited former CM Parkash Singh Badal's refusal to comply with the Supreme Court's directive to execute Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana as evidence of the party's commitment.
Why is this rally significant for the 2027 Punjab elections?
The Baba Bakala rally signals SAD's dual strategy for 2027: reclaim the Sikh religious vote by delegitimising Waris Punjab De, and attack AAP's governance record with corruption allegations. Punjab's political landscape has shifted significantly since Amritpal Singh's Lok Sabha victory, making the contest for the Sikh voter base a central battle of the next election cycle.
