Jailed Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh to fight as Independent from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib, says his counsel

BATHINDA/AMRITSAR: Self-claimed Sikh preacher, separatist and "Waris Punjab De" chief Amritpal Singh has decided to contest the parliamentary elections from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Punjab as an Independent candidate. His counsel, former MP Rajdev Singh Khalsa, made the announcement on Wednesday after meeting him in Assam's Dibrugarh jail, where he is lodged along with others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and National Security Act.

Rajdev Khalsa said, "On Wednesday, I had gone to meet Amritpal at Dibrugarh jail where I made a request for him to contest parliamentary election from Khadoor Sahib constituency. He gave his consent to contest as an Independent candidate. Now, further formalities to file his nomination papers will be completed."

Amritpal was arrested on April 23, 2023 from a gurdwara at Rode, native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the 14th head of Damdami Taksal and militant separatist who was killed in Operation Blue Star.

Earlier, SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann had contested the parliamentary elections from Tarn Taran in 1989 while lodged in Bhagalpur jail.

Amritpal's father, Tarsem Singh, said in Amritsar: "We haven't decided anything so far. Tomorrow I will be going to Dibrugarh to meet Amritpal, then we will take a decision." However, he pointed out that if Amritpal decides to contest, he would do so as an Independent.