Congress Setback Ahead of Punjab Polls as Former MLA Raminder Singh Awla Joins Akali Dal

October 25, 2026

Chandigarh: The Congress has suffered a setback ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with former Jalalabad MLA Raminder Singh Awla joining the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday.

Awla joined the party in the presence of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Welcoming him, Badal said he expected the former MLA to help strengthen the Akali Dal in Jalalabad and other parts of the border belt ahead of the elections.

In a post on X, Badal described Awla as a senior Congress leader and former MLA from Jalalabad. He also recalled his own association with the constituency, which he represented three times.

Badal said Jalalabad had witnessed development under Akali governments and expressed confidence that Awla’s entry would help the party expand its presence in the area and work towards victory in the 2027 polls.

Awla’s Jalalabad Record

Awla, 52, won the Jalalabad Assembly by-election in 2019. He defeated Akali Dal candidate Raj Singh Dibbipura by more than 16,000 votes, securing 76,098 votes against Dibbipura’s 59,465.

Jalalabad has been an important constituency for Badal, who represented it on three occasions. Awla’s political presence in Firozpur district could help the Akali Dal strengthen its position in Jalalabad and the neighbouring Guru Har Sahai constituency.

His move comes as parties in Punjab prepare for the next Assembly elections, expected to be held in February or March 2027.

Akali Dal-BJP Alliance Speculation Ahead of Polls

There is also growing speculation about a possible reunion between the Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Punjab elections. However, no alliance has been confirmed in the information provided.

Badal said on Friday that his party was open to working with like-minded parties. He also targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress, identifying them as key political rivals.

The Akali Dal and BJP were long-time allies before their partnership ended in 2020 over differences surrounding the three farm laws. The laws were later repealed by the Central government.

Awla’s entry adds another development to Punjab’s political landscape as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 Assembly contest.