Amritsar, November 18, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) : The Tarn Taran bypoll delivered a dramatic political turnaround in Punjab, handing the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) a commanding position and exposing deep fractures within the novitiate ‘Panthic Alliance’ that had hoped to lead the Sikh politics in future. The scale of the victory has shaken the much-advertised unity of Waris Punjab De (WPD), SAD (Mann), reorganised Akali Dal and even Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), whose joint candidate crumbled under a resurgent SAD (Badal) wave on this Panthic seat in Majha.
The by-election was meant to project a united Panthic resurgence. Instead, it ended up spotlighting mistrust, missteps and competing egos within the coalition. Their independent nominee, Mandeep Singh, backed by WPD chief Amritpal Singh, reorganised Akali Dal lead by Giani Harpreet Singh, SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), failed to convert their combined influence into votes.
Mandeep Singh slipped to third place, far from the robust showing the alliance had claimed he would deliver. He is brother of Sandeep Singh, who is an accused in the murder case of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri.
The loss is particularly striking considering the comparison many supporters made with Amritpal Singh’s sweeping Lok Sabha win earlier this year. That hope evaporated quickly as SAD (Badal) tightened its grip on rural booths and reclaimed ground it had lost in recent elections.
Political observers say the coalition suffered from poor coordination, communication gaps and a flawed campaign strategy. Even basic issues, such as leaving out the photographs of Giani Harpreet Singh and Simranjit Singh Mann from campaign posters, fuelled resentment and signalled visible discord. Senior leaders who were expected to mobilise voters were often missing from the field or canvassing separately, prompting accusations of internal sabotage.
In the aftermath, the reorganised Akali Dal has announced that it will chart its own path in the upcoming SGPC elections. Its spokesperson said the party would contest independently of WPD, though it remains open to cooperation with other Panthic groups. The statement confirms a widening rift and marks a new phase in the reconfiguration of Sikh politics. Even SAD (Amritsar) leader Simranjeet Singh Mann has given a clarion call to all Panthic parties to unite to contest elections in future and says he is ready to accept leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal of SAD (Badal) for such a unity.
WPD leaders, however, insist there was no sidelining within the alliance and blame the defeat on the financial clout and organised machinery of rival camps. But among grassroots supporters, questions are already being raised about whether the front overestimated its appeal and underestimated the organisational strength of SAD (Badal), which appears to have regained confidence with this emphatic win.
With the SGPC elections on the horizon, the Tarn Taran verdict has reshaped the political mood. Instead of showcasing a unified Panthic comeback, the by-poll has revived SAD (Badal)’s standing and triggered a fresh power struggle within its challengers. The next few months will decide whether the fractured alliance can rebuild trust or whether the by-poll marks the beginning of a deeper realignment in Punjab’s Sikh politics.
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