Sukhbir Badal Re-elected President of Akali Dal in Punjab
Sukhbir Singh Badal, a prominent leader of the Akali Dal, addressed the media in Amritsar on April 12, 2025, after being re-elected as the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal. The 62-year-old former Deputy Chief Minister reclaimed the leadership position of the Punjab-based party, which has been grappling with significant losses and a diminishing vote share.
Reinstated to the helm of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal’s election as president marks a pivotal moment for the party. His return follows a period of upheaval, with Sukhbir Badal stepping down just four months earlier when he was declared ‘tankhaiya’ by the Akal Takht for religious transgressions committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its government between 2007 and 2017.
In a dramatic turn of events, Sukhbir Badal narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by a former Khalistani terrorist while performing sewa at Amritsar’s Golden Temple last December. Despite these challenges, he expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the party members and vowed to restore Punjab to its former glory, declaring, “Punjab will again be turned into a number one state.”
A New Beginning in Amritsar
The scene was set in the historic city of Amritsar, where the Shiromani Akali Dal’s general delegate session took place at the Teja Singh Samundari hall in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex. Amidst a backdrop of political turbulence, Sukhbir Badal emerged as the sole candidate for the position of SAD president, a testament to his enduring influence within the party.
Proposed by the working president, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, and seconded by party stalwarts Paramjit Singh Sarna and Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Sukhbir Badal’s candidacy received unanimous support from the party leadership. Notable figures such as Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Bikram Singh Majithia, and Daljit Singh Cheema stood witness to this pivotal moment in the party’s history.
Challenges and Redemption
The Akali Dal’s journey under Sukhbir Badal’s leadership has been fraught with challenges, culminating in a series of electoral setbacks. In 2017, the party lost power to the Congress, marking a significant shift in Punjab’s political landscape. Subsequent defeats in the 2022 and 2024 elections further eroded the party’s standing, with the SAD’s vote share witnessing a sharp decline.
The fallout from religious misconduct allegations further compounded the party’s woes, leading to Sukhbir Badal’s resignation from the presidency. However, his eventual reinstatement signals a new chapter for the party, characterized by redemption and resilience in the face of adversity.
As the dust settles on a tumultuous period in the Akali Dal’s history, Sukhbir Badal’s re-election offers a glimmer of hope for party supporters and observers alike. With a renewed sense of purpose and determination, the party sets its sights on a brighter future under his leadership.
The Akal Takht’s pronouncement of religious sanctions against Sukhbir Singh Badal and other party leaders serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. However, with a spirit of contrition and a commitment to rectifying past mistakes, the Akali Dal embarks on a path of introspection and renewal.
In the realm of Punjab politics, Sukhbir Badal’s re-election heralds a new dawn for the Shiromani Akali Dal. As the party charts a course towards redemption and resurgence, the legacy of the Badal family looms large, serving as a beacon of hope for party loyalists and the wider political landscape of the region.
