Former Shiromani Akali Dal Leader Surjit Rakhra Joins Aam Aadmi Party in Patiala; Cites Strict Sacrilege Law

May 16, 2026

Today, a major twist was witnessed in Punjab politics when senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former cabinet minister Surjit Singh Rakhra formally joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In a special event held in Patiala, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally inducted him into the party.

Rakhra made it clear from the stage that the strict law enacted by the Punjab government on sacrilege cases and the historic campaign to deliver water to the state through canals were the main reasons for his joining the ‘AAP’. He will start a new chapter of his political career as the Aam Aadmi Party candidate from the Samana constituency in the upcoming elections.

As soon as he took the stage, former minister Surjit Singh Rakhra openly responded to questions from the press and media that had been asked over the past few days regarding the direction of his political career. He stated clearly that his decision to join the Aam Aadmi Party is entirely connected to the interests of Punjab and the religious sentiments of Sikhs.

Mentioned the front of Gurjeet Singh Khalsa

Rakhra mentioned the front of Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, which lasted for about one and a half years in Samana regarding the sacrilege case. He described how the protesters struggled by staying on a 400-foot-high tower amidst severe cold, scorching heat, and storms. During this front, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had promised that if they got strict laws made on this matter, Rakhra would have to support them. He revealed the reason for leaving Shiromani Akali Dal.

Explaining the reason for leaving the Shiromani Akali Dal, he said that the previous Akali government had failed to resolve the cases of desecration and ensure punishment for the guilty. He mentioned that due to this issue, from the 2017 elections to those in 2024, the Akali Dal’s popularity graph continuously declined because there was widespread anger among the public.
Rakhra praised CM Mann

Praising Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Rakhra said that he did not expect that such a strict law on desecration would ever be implemented on the ground. Earlier, neither the Akali-BJP coalition nor the Congress governments had been able to enact this law. He said that after the Governor signed this historic bill, it became his moral duty to stand with Bhagwant Mann.

Apart from religious issues, Rakhra cited Punjab government’s water management (canal water) work as the second major reason for changing parties. He admitted that despite being in power for decades, he himself did not know that Punjab was able to utilize only 26 percent of its rightful water and the rest was being wasted.

He said that the Bhagwant Mann government has saved Punjab from becoming Rajasthan by bringing canal water to the fields of the state. Impressed by this farsighted thinking and development work, he has resolved to serve Punjab by joining the Aam Aadmi Party without any hesitation.
Former Punjab minister Surjit Singh Rakhra formally joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today (Saturday). It is reported that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed him in Patiala. It is said that he made this decision being influenced by the strict law brought by the Punjab government regarding the sacrilege cases. Former minister Surjit Singh Rakhra will contest the elections from Samana after joining AAP.
Rakhra is a big and influential name in Punjab politics.

It is worth noting that Surjit Singh Rakhra is a big and influential name in Punjab politics. Along with politics, he and his brothers have a large business abroad. The Rakhra family has a business empire in America, which is why he is considered to have considerable influence among the Punjabi diasporas.