AMRITSAR: As it was expected, Sukhbir Singh Badal was today re-elected president of the Shiromani Akali Dal(Badal) at a formal election process held at meeting of party delegates at Teja Singh Samundari Hall. He had resigned from the post after he was declared a Tankhayia (Guilty of religious misconduct) by Akal Takht on December 2, 2024.
The reports said that no other name was forwarded by delegates at the meeting and Sukhbir Badal was elected unopposed.
The SAD had conducted membership drive in violation of the Akal Takht edict that a seven member committee would supervise the process. Two loyalists of Sukhbir Badal, Harjinder Singh Dhami and Kirpal Singh Badungar had resigned from seven member committee.
The Akal Takht had authorised the five member committee to start membership drive but Sukhbir Badal decided to launch membership drive by working committee. The rebel SAD leaders who obeyed the Akal Takht Hukamnama are continuing with the membership drive under five member committee. They accused Sukhbir Badal for violating the Akal Takht edict to regain the control of party once again.
Sukhbir Badal had lsot the faith of the Sikh community after Akal Takht found him guilty of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and taking anti-Panth decisions while in government. Sukhbir Badal had apologised from the Sikh community for his anti-panth acts. Now it is upto Sikh community wheather Sikhbir is pardoned or he will face wrath fo the Sikhs.
During the period of 90 days of absence of Sukhbir Badal, his loyalist Balwinder Singh Bhundar was acting president of the SAD.
Badal was first elected as SAD President in December 2008, under the leadership of his father and then Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. While initially praised for modernising party operations, Sukhbir’s leadership came under fire after SAD suffered major setbacks — particularly the 2017 Assembly defeat and its poor show in the 2022 and 2024 elections.
Despite recent challenges, SAD continues to be rooted in a 105-year-old legacy. Founded on December 14, 1920, with support from the Gurdwara Reform Movement, the party has served as the religious, political, and social voice of the Sikh community. After the implementation of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act in 1925, SAD became actively involved in India’s freedom struggle.
Guided by the ethos “Main Maran Te Panth Jive (Let me die, but let the Panth live)", the Akali Dal maintained distance from mainstream politics until the 1937 Provincial Elections, where it entered the fray and won 10 seats. During the Partition, it stood firmly against the division of the nation.