Akal Takht directive to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Badal thrown new challenge to the party, new leadership may emerge
By Satinder Bains
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is currently facing a significant crisis in Punjab, marked by internal conflicts, leadership challenges, rise of radical elements and a loss of political influence.
The future of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is uncertain and fraught with challenges after Five Sikh High Priests directed the party working committee to accept his resignation and elect a new president. The Akal Takht devcision has given hope of new leadership emerging in SAD.
In the aftermath of Akal Takht decision to remove Sukhbir Badal from the post of party president, the SAD will face yet another challenge of leadership. Who will succeed the SAD and how party would revive its base are key questions.
The party has been plagued by internal dissent and factionalism. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the party president, has faced criticism forcing him to submit his resignation. The handling of controversial decisions and appointments during their time in power has also contributed to the crisis.
The SAD has seen a decline in its political influence, losing ground to other parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. The party's vote share has significantly decreased in recent elections.
The rise of radical Sikh politics and leaders like Amritpal Singh has further complicated the situation for the SAD. This shift has led to a fragmentation of the traditional Sikh political base that the SAD once dominated.
The party's image has been tarnished by controversial decisions and incidents, such as the 2015 sacrilege incidents and the subsequent police firing at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. These events have had a lasting impact on the party's reputation and support base.
Sukhbir Singh Badal has faced significant criticism and Akal Takht declared him guilty of religious misconduct by the Akal Takht. This was turning point in the Sikh politics because Sukhbir Badal is not ready to leave his position in the party. He had to resign under pressure from the Sikh clergy.
The party is experiencing internal conflicts and factionalism, with several senior leaders and members expressing dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
The SAD has seen a decline in its political influence, losing ground to other parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. This has been exacerbated by the controversies and scandals associated with the party's past governance.
The party's future will largely depend on its ability to address internal conflicts, rebuild its image, and regain the trust of its traditional voter base. The upcoming elections for the party's leadership and office bearers will be crucial in determining its direction.
Given these factors, the SAD faces a challenging road ahead, and its ability to navigate these issues will be critical in shaping its future. The combination of these factors has created a challenging environment for the Shiromani Akali Dal, leading to an existential crisis for one of Punjab's oldest political parties.
There is long list of Controversial Decisions taken by Sukhbir Singh Badal during Parkash Singh Badal government.
1. Pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh: One of the most contentious decisions was granting a pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, who was involved in a blasphemy incident. This decision led to widespread protests and condemnation from various Sikh organizations.
2. Promotion of Police Officers: Badal's government promoted police officers like Mohammed Izhar Alam and Sumedh Singh aini who were allegedly involved in the killings of innocent Sikhs. This move fueled anger and a sense of injustice among the Sikh community.
3. Advertisements for Ram Rahim's Apology: The government published advertisements in newspapers regarding Ram Rahim's apology, which many saw as an attempt to appease the Dera head. This action was met with strong disapproval from Sikh organizations.
These decisions have significantly tarnished Badal's reputation and have been a source of ongoing controversy within the Sikh community.