In a dramatic turn of events, Khalistani separatist, Amritpal Singh who is jailed in Assam’s Dibrugarh, filed a nomination for the Lok Sabha Elections. Singh has filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP-led) state government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann told the Punjab & Haryana High Court that the state has facilitated ‘Waris Punjab De’ head Amritpal Singh, currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA), to file his nomination.
Singh’s nomination forms and other necessary paperwork were completed and signed by him on May 9, 2024. Additionally, he was permitted to meet his proposer and Advocate at the Dibrugarh Central Jail.
Singh’s decision to contest the election was initially opposed by his father, Tarsem Singh, who stated that Amritpal had no intention of running. However, Tarsem Singh later indicated that if it was the decision of the ‘sangat’ (community or collective), then Amritpal would reconsider and respect their wishes.
Two sets of nomination forms and other documentation were filled out and signed by Amritpal Singh on May 9, 2024, informed DAG Punjab, Arjun Sheoran.
The Superintendent of Central Jail Dibrugarh was instructed to administer the oath to Singh as per the provisions of law, including the Handbook for Candidate, 2023, and issue a Certificate for Receipt of Oath.
“The Superintendent Central Jail Dibrugarh will administer the oath to the detenue as per the provisions of law including Handbook for Candidate, 2023 and issue Certificate for Receipt of Oath and send original form of Oath to Returning Officer, 03- Khadoor Sahab, (Punjab). The oath will be administered as and when a request is made by the detenue after his nomination form is submitted before the Returning Officer,” Sheoran added.
Amritpal Singh, who is known for his separatist views and leadership of the pro-Khalistani outfit “Waris Punjab De,” plans to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections. He and ten other members of the group have been detained in Dibrugarh since March 19, 2023, following a crackdown in Punjab.
Singh appealed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a temporary release to file his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls. According to the law, if a jailed candidate wins the election, they can be released to take the oath of office, as there is no provision to administer the oath inside the prison.
Styled after the late Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Amritpal Singh was apprehended in Moga’s Rode village on April 23, 2023, following a comprehensive search.
Following a confrontation at Ajnala on February 23, 2023, where Amritpal Singh and his followers clashed with law enforcement, he was charged under various criminal offences, including attempted murder and causing public disorder.
The Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, recognised as a ‘Panthic’ seat, encompasses nine assembly constituencies. The Shiromani Akali Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, and Bharatiya Janata Party have all nominated candidates for the seat, while the Congress has chosen Kulbir Singh Zira.
However, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) has declared its support for Amritpal Singh’s candidacy for the Khadoor Sahib seat, leading to the withdrawal of their candidate from the constituency.
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