Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is standing at a critical juncture as its decision making body is set to deliberate its participation in the upcoming bypolls for four Punjab assembly seats. The party’s core committee is set to convene on Tuesday to address this pressing issue, marking an unprecedented crisis under its current leadership.
The turmoil is compounded by the recent condemnation from the Akal Takht Jathedar, who has declared the party’s president Sukhbir Singh Badal a “tankhaiya” (declared guilty of religious misconduct by Sikhs’ supreme temporal seat), coupled with a vertical split within the party led by senior ‘rebel’ leaders.
As one of India’s oldest political parties, the SAD is grappling with the fallout from several scandals, particularly the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and controversial decisions made during its tenure from 2007 to 2017. The Jathedar’s admonition has not only called into question the party’s integrity but has also complicated its ability to mobilize support from the electorate.
The crisis raised serious concerns about whether the SAD will opt to contest the elections scheduled for November 13, especially as it struggles to rebuild its credibility in a hostile political landscape.
In recent years, the party has seen a significant decline in its political capital, leading to speculation about its viability in the forthcoming polls. In case the SAD decide to participate, it faces the daunting task of rapidly identifying and announcing candidates — an endeavour fraught with challenges. Key figures like Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon and Ravi Kiran Singh Kahlon have already defected to rival parties, leaving the SAD scrambling for viable contenders to represent it in the bypolls. The exodus of prominent leaders underscored the party's weakening grip on its traditional voter base, making the selection of credible candidates crucial.
Furthermore, the party is apprehensive about the capability of its leaders to effectively campaign amid recent criticisms. With the Jathedar’s public censure and rising opposition sentiment, any involvement in political activities could be weaponized by rivals, complicating the party's messaging. Political analysts suggested that while there are no explicit prohibitions against campaigning for leaders labeled tankhaiya, the stigma attached could severely hinder their ability to connect with voters and garner support.
The core committee meeting will delve into candidate selection, strategizing to revitalize the party's public image while considering how to address the internal divisions that have emerged in recent months. Doubts loom over potential candidates, with individuals like former Minister Sohan Singh Thandal reportedly hesitant to step into the political arena from the reserved seat of Chabbewal and others, such as Kulwant Singh Kitu, perceived as weak contenders against stronger opposition in Barnala.
Additionally, the party’s recent electoral track record poses significant challenges. With the SAD's popularity waning, especially among the youth, there is an urgent need for the leadership to present fresh faces and innovative ideas that resonate with voters' current concerns. The party must confront issues such as unemployment, law and order, rising agricultural debts, and governance failures if it hopes to regain lost ground.
