Two Rival Akali Dal Factions Clash at Chhapar Mela Ahead of Punjab Polls

The annual Chhapar Mela in Punjab this year became a battleground for Sikh political rivalry, with two factions of the Akali Dal dominating the religious fair. Sukhbir Singh Badal's Shiromani Akali Dal, which has been steadily losing political ground, found itself directly pitted against Amritpal Singh's hardliner Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De). Other mainstream political parties were notably absent from the event, leaving the space entirely to the two Akali factions. The face-off carries added significance as it comes just six months before the upcoming elections in Punjab.