Once a powerful Akali face in Khemkaran, Virsa Singh Valtoha found himself pushed out in 2024 after the Sikh high priests directed SAD to expel him for allegedly denting the credibility of the Takht jathedars. Before the party could act, he resigned and stayed away from active politics. Now, in 2025, Valtoha has approached the Akal Takht seeking forgiveness and urging a review of the expulsion order, even saying he is an ‘Akali by soul’ and that the party’s decline pains him. With sources indicating that the clergy may consider his return, how do you see Virsa Singh Valtoha’s prospects and relevance heading into 2027?
विरसा सिंह वल्टोहा जो कभी खेमकरण में SAD का सबसे मज़बूत चेहरा थे और 2022 में दूसरे स्थान पर रहे, उनकी राजनीतिक राह 2024 में तब बिगड़ गई जब पांच सिख जत्थेदारों ने उनके निष्कासन का आदेश दिया, जिसके बाद उन्होंने इस्तीफा दे दिया। अब विरसा सिंह वल्टोहा अकाल तख्त से माफी और SAD में वापसी की राह मांग रहे हैं, खुद को ‘रूह से अकाली’ बताते हुए। पिछले चुनावी प्रभाव और हालिया विवाद को देखते हुए, आप 2027 में वल्टोहा के भविष्य को कैसे देखते हैं?
Chandan Kumar Grewal, a Dalit leader from the Valmiki community, rejoined AAP in 2023. He had earlier contested Kartarpur on an AAP ticket in 2017 and Jalandhar Central on an SAD ticket in 2022, losing both times. With Grewal back in AAP, the Akali Dal now faces a tough choice, who should they field from Jalandhar Central to challenge him effectively?
