Ex-Congress MLA Raminder Awla Joins Akali Dal Ahead of 2027 Pollsਸਾਬਕਾ ਕਾਂਗਰਸੀ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਰਮਿੰਦਰ ਆਵਲਾ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ, 2027 ਚੋਣਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਨੂੰ ਝਟਕਾ

Former Congress MLA from Jalalabad Raminder Singh Awla joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Chandigarh on Sunday, 25 October, in the presence of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

What did Sukhbir Badal say?

In a post on X, Badal welcomed Awla as a senior Congress leader and former Jalalabad MLA. He said Jalalabad had given him the chance to serve it three times and claimed the constituency saw "revolutionary development" under Akali governments. He said he was confident Awla would strengthen the party in the constituency and across the border belt to ensure victory in 2027. SAD vice-president Parmbans Singh Bunty Romana was also present.

Who is Raminder Singh Awla?

Awla won the Jalalabad seat as a Congress candidate in the 2019 bypoll, beating SAD's Raj Singh Dibipura by over 16,000 votes, according to The Times of India. He remains active in both Ferozepur and Fazilka districts, The Tribune reported, and his joining is expected to give SAD a boost there.

Why is the move being discussed?

NDTV linked the switch to an older ticket row inside the Congress. On 4 August, then Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said at a Ferozepur meeting that the party would not give two tickets to one family, remarks that were linked to discussion around Awla. NDTV added that there is no independent confirmation that the remark prompted Awla's exit, and no confirmed evidence tying his decision to any possible alliance between parties. Reports also note talk of SAD and BJP exploring a renewed alliance; the two parties parted in 2020 over the farm laws.

What does it mean for 2027?

For SAD, the induction strengthens its hand in the Ferozepur region, where it competes with the Congress, AAP and others. For the Congress, it is another exit just as the election season nears. Awla's role in SAD, and whether he will be fielded from Jalalabad, has not been announced.

Which party did Raminder Awla join?

The Shiromani Akali Dal, on 25 October 2026, in Chandigarh.

Which seat did Awla represent?

Jalalabad, in Fazilka district, which he won for the Congress in the 2019 bypoll.

Has SAD named him a candidate for 2027?

No. His future role in the party has not been announced.