The Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) is set to float its first crop of candidates for the assembly polls in a few weeks’ time, party leader Tarsem Singh Khalsa said while addressing a media conference in Bhikhi.

 Khalsa, father of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, said a five-member committee has been formed to finalise names. The party is expected to announce 50-60 names by mid September, with priority being given to heads of constituencies who have delivered results. On the question whether jailed Khadoor Sahib MP and Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) president Amritpal Singh would be contesting polls from the Talwandi Sabo Assembly constituency in Bathinda district, Tarsem Khalsa said the final decision on his son would be taken by the party’s direction. 

He also appealed to all Panthic leaders to come together to fight elections. The media conference was also attended by former Mansa MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh who has joined the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De). Aulakh contested elections on Shiromani Akali Dal ticket in 1997 and was also the chief of PUNSEED. Earlier, he was associated with Shiromani Akali Dal (Punarsurjit).