With the Punjab Assembly elections due next year, the political battle in the state has begun heating up. Gangster-turned-politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, the main accused in the Nabha jailbreak case, has joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) months ahead of the polls.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed Sekhon into the AAP fold at a special event held in Zira in Ferozepur district.
The AAP Punjab unit said Sekhon and his supporters joined the party after being impressed by its policies. “Impressed by the pro-people policies of AAP, Gurpreet Singh Sekhon and his supporters have joined the AAP,” the party said in an online post, sharing photographs of Mann and Sekhon from the event.
SAD attacks AAP over induction
Sekhon’s entry into the ruling party drew a sharp response
from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which accused AAP of adopting a soft approach towards gangsters.
“EXPOSED: PUNJAB’s GANGSTER GOVT!” the SAD said in a post on X.
“Not war, but love with gangsters ~ That seems to be @AAPPunjab’s new campaign as today a well known gangster Gurpreet Sekhon, the mastermind of the famous Nabha jailbreak was not just inducted into the party but also given a warm hug and welcomed like a hero by BHAND himself!” the party said.
The SAD further attacked the AAP government over law and order in the state.
“If this is @AAPPunjab’s policy towards gangsters, you can well imagine the state of ‘Law and Order’ in Punjab!” it said.
Could Sekhon contest from Zira?
Sekhon’s induction has also triggered speculation that AAP could field him from the Zira Assembly constituency in the upcoming elections.
Political analysts believe the party might name Sekhon as its candidate from the seat. He opened his office in Zira just 10 days ago and is expected to launch his campaign soon.
His entry has also led to talks and disappointment within the camp of sitting Zira MLA Naresh Katariya. Originally from nearby Makhu, Katariya has considerable influence in the constituency. If AAP fields Sekhon, the move could significantly alter the political dynamics in Zira.
EXPOSED: PUNJAB’s GANGSTER GOVT!
Not war, but love with gangsters ~ That seems to be @AAPPunjab’s new campaign as today a well known gangster Gurpreet Sekhon, the mastermind of the famous Nabha jailbreak was not just inducted into the party but also given a warm hug and welcomed… pic.twitter.com/mOdulagm25
— Shiromani Akali Dal (@Akali_Dal_) September 6, 2026
From Nabha jailbreak to local politics
Sekhon first came into the spotlight in November 2016 after escaping during the Nabha jailbreak in Punjab. Three months later, in 2017, he was arrested in Moga.
He was named the main accused in the jailbreak case but was later released following orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Over time, he became involved in local body politics.
A few months ago, Sekhon fielded two of his relatives as independent candidates in the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections in Punjab. Both won from Bajidpur and Ferozeshah with the backing of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Sekhon was also arrested before the local elections amid political rivalry. He had alleged that the action was taken at the behest of Rajnish Kumar Dahiya, the MLA from Ferozepur Rural.
Zira’s changing political equations
The Zira Assembly seat has traditionally been an Akali Dal stronghold. However, the party’s grip weakened after the death of Akali leader and former MLA Hari Singh Zira.
Congress leader Kulbir Singh Zira won the seat in 2017, while AAP’s Katariya emerged victorious in 2022. Sekhon’s entry into AAP now adds another layer to the contest ahead of next year’s Punjab polls.
