The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is experiencing a severe crisis following a rebellion launched by senior leaders against party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. The discontentment stems from the party’s dismal performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, which saw the SAD win only one seat out of the 13 parliamentary constituencies in Punjab. The rebellion has divided the party into two factions, one demanding Badal’s resignation and the other reaffirming their faith in him.
Leading the charge against Badal are senior leaders like Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Bidi Jagir Kaur, who have openly criticized his leadership and called for a change. Dhindsa organized a meeting in Jalandhar, where party workers and senior leaders expressed their dissatisfaction and voiced their concerns over the party’s decline. He emphasized the need for a collective effort to revive the SAD, highlighting the widespread anxiety among supporters regarding the party’s future.
Echoing similar sentiments, Bibi Jagir Kaur, a former president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), accused Badal of being unresponsive to their concerns and criticisms. She revealed that despite repeated attempts to engage in dialogue, Badal remained indifferent, failing to acknowledge the shortcomings that contributed to the party’s defeat. Kaur stated that the party is seeking forgiveness from the Akal Takht Sahib for its failures and is determined to address the issues that led to its decline in popularity.
However, the rebellion has been met with strong opposition from other Akali Dal leaders, who remain loyal to Badal. Daljit Singh Cheema, a prominent SAD leader, dismissed the rebellion as a difference of opinion within the party, stating that the party is undergoing introspection and analysis following the election results. He asserted that a working committee meeting will be held to address the situation and emphasized the need for all members to participate in the discussion.
Cheema also criticized the timing of the rebellion, suggesting that it was pre-planned and orchestrated to disrupt the party’s internal process. He expressed concern that the rebel leaders were more interested in personal agendas than the party’s betterment. Despite the turmoil, Cheema expressed confidence in the SAD’s resilience and its ability to overcome this challenge.
Meanwhile, Balwinder Singh Bhundal, a core committee member of the SAD, held a meeting in support of Badal, claiming that a vast majority of party members remain loyal to him. He emphasized that the party chief’s position was not subject to change based on the demands of a few individuals. Bhundal further clarified that the party would not be entering into any alliances with the BJP, reaffirming the SAD’s independence and commitment to its principles. He also downplayed the significance of the rebellion, stating that those seeking to leave the party were free to do so, their departure would not impact the party’s unity or purpose.
