- विज्ञापन -
Amritsar: Sukhbir Singh Badal, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader reelected as SAD chief today. The decision was taken in meeting held at Teja Singh Samudra Hall in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. In which the Akali Dal leaders unanimously elect their president.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was today re-elected President of Sukhbir Singh Badal. He was elected in delegate session in which Balwinder Singh Bhunder presented his name and Delhi leader Parmjit Singh Sarna and Mahesh Singh Grewal seconded his name. Chief Election Officer Gulzar Singh Ranike declared that Sukhbir Singh Badal has been elected President.
According to party sources, Sukhbir Singh Badal was not only the “favourite” but also the “only candidate” for the post. The election is being held after a three-month-long membership drive. Also, senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder is likely to be named as the party’s patron.
The biggest challenge: Returning amid religious controversy and political turmoil
Sukhbir Badal resigned as party president on 16 November 2024 after he was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (religious convict) by the Akal Takht. On 2 December 2024, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh declared the entire current party leadership, including Sukhbir, “unfit to run the party”.
Following this, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) removed Giani Raghbir Singh from his post and appointed Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj in his place.
SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema has already clarified that the party leadership has already undergone religious punishment as directed by the Akal Takht. When someone undergoes religious punishment, he becomes pure and the old things are considered over. Senior Akali Dal leaders believe that the Akal Takht directive is still in effect.
