AAP Welcomes Gangster-Turned-Politician Sekhon Ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections

Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, a gangster-turned-politician and key accused in the Nabha jailbreak case, has joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed Sekhon into the party during an event in Zira in Ferozepur district. The development has attracted attention because of Sekhon's growing involvement in local politics and his recent activities in the constituency.

The Punjab unit of the AAP said Sekhon and his supporters joined the party after being impressed by its policies. Sekhon had opened an office in Zira shortly before joining the party and is expected to begin political activities in the area. His entry has led to speculation that the AAP could consider him for the Zira Assembly constituency, although the party has not officially announced its candidate for the seat.

Sekhon's entry could also affect the position of sitting AAP MLA Naresh Katariya, who has considerable influence in Zira. Katariya is originally from the nearby Makhu area and currently represents the constituency. If the party chooses Sekhon as its candidate, the move could create internal political differences and significantly alter the contest in a constituency where multiple parties are seeking to strengthen their position.

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Sekhon first came into the spotlight after the high-profile Nabha jailbreak in Punjab in 2016, when he escaped from the maximum-security Nabha jail along with other inmates. He was arrested in Moga several months later and was named the main accused in the case. Sekhon was subsequently released after the Punjab and Haryana High Court passed orders in his matter, allowing him to return to public life.

In recent years, Sekhon has increasingly become involved in local political activities. A few months ago, he supported two of his relatives who contested the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections as independent candidates. Both candidates won from Bajidpur and Ferozeshah, with backing from the Shiromani Akali Dal. Sekhon was also arrested before the local elections amid allegations of political rivalry and later claimed that the action was carried out at the behest of Ferozepur Rural MLA Rajnish Kumar Dahiya.

The Zira Assembly constituency has historically been associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal, although its influence weakened following the death of former Akali MLA Hari Singh Zira. Congress leader Kulbir Singh Zira won the constituency in 2017, while AAP's Naresh Katariya secured the seat in 2022. Sekhon's induction into the AAP now adds another layer to the political contest, particularly if the party decides to field him from Zira in the upcoming election.

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