Patiala: Senior Akali leader and former Member of Parliament Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra has officially returned to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), with party president Sukhbir Singh Badal welcoming him back into the party fold.
Chandumajra’s return comes after he resigned from the breakaway Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), citing differences with its leadership over the approach to Panthic unity. His homecoming is being seen as a significant development in Punjab’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Chandumajra Calls for Panthic Unity
Chandumajra had announced his resignation from SAD (Punar Surjit) on November 4. In his statement, he emphasised the need for all Akali and Panthic organisations to come together on a common platform to safeguard the interests of Punjab and the Panth.
He said his appeal for unity and the response from the faction’s president, Giani Harpreet Singh, had made it clear that their thinking, ideology and working approach were not aligned.
Chandumajra had also expressed concern that divisions among Akali groups were weakening their ability to raise issues concerning Punjab and the Panth.
Chandumajra Had Left SAD in 2024
Chandumajra had parted ways with the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal in 2024 after unsuccessfully contesting the Lok Sabha election from Anandpur Sahib as the party’s candidate.
He later became part of the Akali Sudhar Lehar and the breakaway SAD (Punar Surjit), which was formed under the leadership of Giani Harpreet Singh. His return marks a reversal of the split that had taken place within the Akali leadership.
Sukhbir Badal’s Call for Akali Unity
The return comes amid renewed calls for unity among Akali leaders ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.
SAD leaders had welcomed Chandumajra’s decision to leave the breakaway faction and urged other leaders who had left the party to return. Party secretary general Balwinder Singh Bhundar had also appealed to senior Akali leaders to reunite under the SAD banner and work together for Punjab.