Speculation Grows Over Gurpreet Singh Sekhon Joining AAP in Zira

Political circles in Punjab’s border district are abuzz with speculation that Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, a former gangster turned politician, may formally join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s upcoming visit to Zira subdivision. Although neither Sekhon nor AAP has officially confirmed his induction, his recent public activities and social media presence have fueled speculation of a formal announcement in Mann’s presence. The development has already triggered unease within the camp of sitting AAP legislator Naresh Kataria, who met party supremo Arvind Kejriwal last month, though details of that meeting remain undisclosed. Sekhon recently opened a political office in Zira and declared his intention to contest the upcoming assembly elections, without specifying a party affiliation. Observers believe he could be fielded as AAP’s candidate from Zira, while Kataria may be shifted to a neighboring constituency. Party insiders suggest that several current MLAs could be reassigned or replaced with new faces based on constituency-level surveys assessing their chances of victory. Traditionally considered an Akali stronghold, Zira’s political landscape shifted after the death of former MLA Hari Singh Zira. Subsequent moves saw former minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon transferred from Firozpur to Zira, while his son Avtar Singh Minna joined the BJP. Kataria himself was once associated with the Akali Dal before joining AAP, and even Congress leader Kulbir Singh Zira’s father had deep Akali roots before breaking away. Sekhon’s growing influence has been evident in recent municipal elections in Mamdot, Talwandi Bhai, and Mudki, where he openly supported AAP-backed candidates. His presence at coronation ceremonies of newly elected municipal leaders, sometimes in the absence of local AAP MLAs, further strengthened speculation about his formal entry into the ruling party. Adding to his political clout, two of Sekhon’s relatives, including his wife, recently won district council elections from Firozshah and Bazidpur zones. In May, an audio clip allegedly featuring a senior AAP leader suggested that the party high command had directed local leaders to favor candidates backed by Sekhon in Mudki’s municipal polls. Around the same time, Sekhon shared a stage with CM Mann’s mother Harpal Kaur at a district council event in Mansa, underscoring his growing proximity to the ruling party. Beyond politics, Sekhon has also been active in social welfare initiatives in the region. While he has not confirmed his entry into AAP, he praised Mann’s government for introducing the anti-sacrilege bill and for working in the interest of ordinary citizens. Sources indicate that a close associate of the Chief Minister has played a key role in negotiations to bring Sekhon into the party fold, even facilitating police security for him. If Sekhon formally joins AAP, it could significantly reshape electoral dynamics in Zira, a strategically important border constituency, and alter the party’s candidate strategy ahead of the assembly polls.