Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal MLA from Dakha Manpreet Singh Ayali will formally join Amritpal Singh-led Waris Punjab De (WPD) in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, will preside over the joining ceremony. Ayali confirmed to The Tribune that he would formally join Waris Punjab De tomorrow.The Dakha MLA has been working with the WPD for several months, and his candidates in the zila parishad and panchayat elections carried Amritpal Singh’s photographs.Since the WPD is not a registered political party, Ayali will not attract disqualification from the Akali Dal. However, the party retains the option of expelling him.Ayali told The Tribune that many people were waiting for him to take the plunge before joining themselves. “Waris Punjab De is sure to have a strong base at the ground level, and people will see this in the coming days,” he said.He said the next five-six months would see a wave of joinings. “Gradually, all details will come out about who the bigwigs joining Waris Punjab De are,” he said.On reports of AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh being seen with WPD leaders, Ayali said: “Let’s wait and watch. He is thinking about it, and there are very good chances that he may join the party.”Ayali was earlier close to SAD (Punar Surjeet), but did not continue with them due to issues with few leaders.Ayali had lost the 2017 Assembly election to HS Phoolka, but returned to the Assembly after winning the 2019 Dakha byelection. Having a strong base in Dakha, Ayali again won from Dakha in the 2022 Assembly elections, becoming one of the few Akali MLAs elected that year.Ayali has developed a reputation for challenging the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal. He often voiced concerns about the functioning of the Akali Dal. He also served as convener of a coordination committee between Akali factions.