Ferozepur, September 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former gangster-turned-politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at a party rally in Zira, while praising the state government’s stand on Jagtar Singh Hawara and other “Bandi Singhs”.
Mann formally inducted Sekhon into the party by draping an AAP scarf around him. Sekhon lauded Mann for writing to the Punjab Governor seeking parole for Hawara to enable him to meet his ailing mother. He also expressed hope that the Chief Minister would raise the issue concerning the release of other “Bandi Singhs”.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said people should not be judged solely on the basis of their past circumstances, arguing that difficult situations can sometimes push individuals towards the wrong path. He said those who sincerely seek to return to the mainstream and rebuild their lives should be given an opportunity to do so.
Mann also highlighted his government’s welfare initiatives, including the establishment of around 1,100 Mohalla Clinics across Punjab. He targeted the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), alleging that both parties had lost their political relevance.
Sekhon thanked supporters who attended the rally from Mudki, Ferozeshah, Talwandi Bhai, Ghall Khurd, Zira and adjoining areas. He praised several initiatives of the Mann government, including electricity bill waivers, buses for Tirath Yatra, the Mavva Dhian Satkar Yojna and the campaign against drugs.
He also appreciated the government’s move to introduce an anti-sacrilege Bill in the Punjab Assembly.
Claiming that the people of Punjab stood behind Mann, Sekhon said he expected the Chief Minister to return to power after the upcoming Assembly elections.
His induction into the AAP has sparked speculation within political circles about a possible organisational or electoral role for him, including the possibility of his being fielded from Zira in the forthcoming Assembly polls.
Sitting AAP MLA from Zira Naresh Kataria was also present at the rally but did not respond to queries about the possibility of being replaced by Sekhon as the party’s candidate.
AAP MLAs Amritpal Singh of Bagha Purana, Gurdit Singh Sekhon of Faridkot and Davinder Singh Laddi of Dharamkot, along with other senior party leaders, also attended the event.
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