Former Congress MLA Raminder Awla Joins Shiromani Akali Dal Ahead of Punjab Elections - In a significant political development ahead of the Punjab assembly elections next year, former Congress MLA Raminder Singh Awla ... Get Latest News on National only on lokmattimes.com. The move is seen as a strategic boost for SAD, particularly in the Malwa region.SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal warmly welcomed Awla into the party fold.