Khadoor Sahib is known as a constituency dominated by ‘panthic’ sentiments, which identify with the Sikh community. Earlier, this sentiment was identified with the traditional Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal, now being led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. 

Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh has won the Khadoor Sahib seat by defeating Congress' Kulbir Singh Zira, according to the Election Commission. 

The constituency has come into focus with jailed radical preacher Amritpal contesting independently against the traditional parties including the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is getting a lot of traction and is considered to be a favourite to win from here.  

Amritpal will definitely cut into the vote share of the SAD-B. Given its predominantly panthic composition, Khadoor Sahib was considered to be the SAD-B bastion till 2019, when the Congress candidate Jasbir Singh Dimpa defeated the SAD-B candidate Bibi Jagir Kaur by a margin of over one lakh votes.

"He (Amritpal) did not want to contest. But he said if it (contesting poll) is the decision of the 'sangat' then he would change his decision and bow before the 'sangat'," said Tarsem Singh.

Earlier in the day, Valtoha in a Facebook post said that he met Amritpal's father Tarsem Singh, and mother Balwinder Kaur near the Golden Temple in Amritsar where they have been sitting in protest, seeking the shifting of NSA detainees from Assam to Punjab. 

It is good that Amritpal has opted for electoral politics. In fact, he has not advocated any armed struggle either although his tone has been defiant and rebellious. It is equally good that the Akali Dal has decided to field a strong candidate, whose panthic credentials are unparalleled, against him.