Major Rebellion in Shiromani Akali Dal: Sukhbir Badal's Leadership Under Threat
Senior Leaders Call for Sukhbir Badal's Resignation as Party President, Sukhbir Dubs it as BJP Proxy.
Major Rebellion in Shiromani Akali Dal
On a tumultuous day for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a simmering rebellion spilt out into the open as senior party leaders publicly called for Sukhbir Singh Badal to step down as President. This dissent unfolded in parallel with a critical meeting of the district presidents and 'halqa in-charges' chaired by Badal in Chandigarh. The rebel leaders, including Prem Singh Chandumajra, Sikander Singh Maluka, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and Charanjit Singh Brar, boycotted the Chandigarh meeting and instead gathered in Jalandhar, launching the "Akali Dal Bachao Lehar" movement1.
The disgruntled leaders argue that under Sukhbir Badal’s leadership, SAD’s performance has deteriorated significantly since 2017. In the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, the party secured only 3 out of 117 seats, and in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it won just 1 out of 13 seats, with Harsimrat Badal from Bathinda being the lone victor. The Party’s vote share plummeted to 13.42%, while the BJP surged to 18.56%. Additionally, independent Panthic candidates won from the Khadoor Sahib and Faridkot (SC) constituencies, further indicating the decline in SAD's influence.
The rebels insist that for the party to regain its footing, Sukhbir Badal must exhibit a spirit of sacrifice and resign (see video). They believe a leader with a strong political and religious understanding should take the helm to steer the party out of its current crisis. Sukhbir Badal, however, has dismissed these actions as efforts to undermine the Panthic force of the Shiromani Akali Dal, framing the rebellion as an external conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP to weaken the party from within. It is, however, crucial that the key issues are addressed and resolved because it is no longer possible to brush them under the carpet under the veneer of confidence in Sukhbir Badal’s leadership, as we indicated in our previous article.
Sukhbir Badal's Response
Even as the rebellion was unfolding, Sukhbir Badal chaired a meeting of Shiromani Akali Dal district presidents at the party headquarters in Chandigarh. During the meeting, he asserted that the party could not allow itself to become a puppet of anti-Panthic designs and declared that the SAD is prepared to face tough times for the sake of the Panth and Punjab. Badal emphasized that those seeking personal gains by compromising the dignity of the Panth and Punjab are free to leave. He reiterated the party’s commitment to Panthic principles, stating that there would be no compromise on these values.
Sukhbir Badal claims to have received significant support from within the party, with 96 out of 105 halqa in-charges expressing their full faith in his leadership. The district presidents criticized the alleged government conspiracies aimed at rendering the Panth and Punjab leaderless and praised Badal’s principled decision to not align with the BJP. They lauded his resolute, firm, and principled leadership, while a party resolution accused the BJP and other agencies of attempting to weaken or break the SAD by sponsoring frustrated elements to float parallel parties or weaken the party from within. This was accompanied by pro-Sukhbir twitter handles floating memes, projecting the rebels as surrogates of the BJP (graphics below).
However, it shall be crucial to watch their actions and conduct henceforth, especially if the rebellion gains traction. It may not be out of place to remind readers that even in the last Core Committee meeting on 13th June, it was claimed that confidence was expressed unanimously in the leadership of Sukhbir Badal, but dissenting notes emerged soon thereafter.
Role of SGPC President Advocate Dhami
The role of SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami in the current Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) crisis is of paramount importance. Traditionally, the SGPC President, elected on a yearly basis by the full house of the SGPC, is theoretically independent of SAD’s disciplinary or even political matters. However, since the last SGPC general body elections in 2011, the house has been dominated by members with allegiance to the SAD (Badal), effectively making the SGPC President a nominee of the Badal family. With new voters being registered for the upcoming SGPC elections (registration closing on 31 July), and the elections expected soon thereafter, Advocate Dhami’s stance will be crucial amidst the widespread rebellion. Should Harjinder Singh Dhami distance himself from Sukhbir Badal, the extensive infrastructure of the SGPC—including physical facilities, manpower, and logistical support such as langar at political conferences—could become unavailable to Sukhbir's faction of the SAD. This would exacerbate the challenges for Sukhbir Badal, potentially posing a greater threat than the rebellion itself. Hence, Dhami’s role and attitude will be closely watched in the unfolding political drama.
Bikram Singh Majithia: An Influential SAD Leader
Bikram Singh Majithia's absence from Sukhbir Badal’s meeting on 25th June, despite not being part of the rebel faction, underscores his crucial role in the ongoing crisis within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Majithia, the current General Secretary, is known for his rapid political rise and significant influence within the party.
In the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, Majithia lost from Amritsar East, while his wife won the Majitha seat. Despite his legal challenges, including the criminal case under the NDPS Act, Majithia remains pivotal in SAD, especially after Adesh Partap Singh Kairon's expulsion in May 2024, indicating a power shift towards Majithia and his sister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the sole SAD winner in the recent Lok Sabha elections. This shift occurred before the open rebellion against Sukhbir Badal by other senior Akali leaders.
The rumoured rift between Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia, though officially denied, has now become increasingly relevant. Majithia's absence from key meetings and events, including the "Punjab Bachao Yatra," Core Committee meetings (including the last one on 13th June), and the recent Halqa Incharge Meeting today (25th June), highlights and accentuates this tension. Known for his political savvy and effective organization, Majithia's decisive style has earned him both admirers and detractors. Nonetheless, he has not publicly opposed Sukhbir Badal's leadership, maintaining his position within the party.
Given these dynamics, Majithia's future actions will be crucial in determining Sukhbir Badal’s leadership trajectory. His influence, bolstered by his family's electoral successes, ensures he will play a significant role—potentially positive or negative—in shaping the party's future amidst its current challenges.
Crucial Juncture for Shiromani Akali Dal
As the party navigates this internal turmoil, it stands at a critical juncture. Labelling the rebels as agents of the central government or the BJP will not suffice. Sukhbir Badal must fundamentally change his style of functioning and, more importantly, reconnect with the people of Punjab. This includes focusing not just on farmers or the rural Jat Sikh vote but also on Scheduled Castes, Hindus, and women. Efforts should be made to placate the rebel leaders and ensure the support of SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Dhami and Bikram Majithia. Failure to do so will not only jeopardise his leadership but also threaten the general well-being of the Shiromani Akali Dal, which remains arguably the only authentic political party representing Punjab.
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Those who attended the meeting included Sikandar Maluka, Surjit Rakhra, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Kiranjot Kaur, Manjit Singh, Surinder Bhullewal, Gurpartap Wadala, Charanjit Brar, Harinder Pal Tohra, Gaganjit Barnala, Paramjit Landran, Parminder Dhindsa, Balbir Ghons, Randhir Rakhra, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Karnail Panjoli and Sarwan Phillaur.
Regardless of rebellion, Sukhbir Badal has lost confidence of people of Punjab . Loss of 3 elections under his leadership has proven it. They should call for a leadership convention and have elections . Let the party membership decide .