June 26: A day after a faction of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders revolted against party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, the party announced on Wednesday that its working committee has expressed full confidence in Badal’s leadership.
The committee also cautioned “detractors” against playing into the hands of enemies of the ‘panth’ (community).
On Tuesday, senior SAD leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, ex-MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, former ministers Sikander Singh Maluka, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Surjit Singh Rakhra, and party leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur, demanded Badal’s resignation following the party’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. They also announced plans to launch a ‘SAD Bachao’ (Save SAD) movement next month.
In response, the SAD working committee issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter): “The Shiromani Akali Dal Working Committee reposes complete faith in the leadership of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and urges detractors not to play into the hands of Panth’s enemies. The committee asks the president to lead the efforts to expose conspiracies against the party, panth, and Punjab.”
The meeting, attended by prominent leaders including Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Hira Singh Gabria, and Paramjit Singh Sarna, reaffirmed support for Badal and emphasized unity within the party.
The SAD described the rebel leaders as “frustrated elements sponsored by the BJP” aiming to weaken the party.
