Sukhbir Badal alleges CM Mann sent MLA Ayali to Waris Punjab De to split Panthic votes
Babushahi Bureau
Bassi Pathana (Punjab), September 6, 2026: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had sent Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali to the Waris Punjab De outfit to strengthen the organisation and divide Panthic votes.
Addressing a SAD gathering in Bassi Pathana as part of the party’s Punjab Bachao campaign, Badal claimed that the move was part of a political strategy aimed at weakening the Shiromani Akali Dal by splitting the Panthic vote.
“Bhagwant Mann sent Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali to Waris Punjab De to strengthen the party and divide Panthic votes,” Badal alleged.
He urged Punjabis to recognise what he described as a political conspiracy and cautioned that such efforts could have wider consequences for Punjab’s political landscape.
Badal also alleged that Waris Punjab De had maintained silence on several issues involving the Mann government, claiming that the organisation had not criticised the Chief Minister despite controversies surrounding his government.
Without naming any specific electoral constituency in connection with his allegation, Badal appealed to voters to remain alert to attempts to fragment the Panthic vote.
He said Punjabis should work together to prevent what he described as an attempt to push Punjab back towards the “era of darkness” of the 1980s.
The allegation was made during the SAD’s ongoing Punjab Bachao campaign ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Neither the Punjab Government nor Manpreet Singh Ayali’s response to Badal’s allegation was included in the statement.