In a bid to revive its historic panthic legacy, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is pulling out all the stops ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to regain support with an eye on the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls. Facing a critical juncture after a series of electoral setbacks, SAD is doubling down on its core identity, distancing itself from former ally BJP to pursue an uncompromising panthic agenda. With its rich history of championing Sikh and farmer rights, SAD aims to reestablish itself as the definitive voice of Punjab. This audacious move comes as the party grapples with its diminished influence, vowing to restore its stature and support base among the Sikh community and rural voters.
Historically, SAD has been a dominant force in Punjab politics, ruling the State for a decade across two consecutive terms — from 2007 to 2017. At that time, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal brought the party out from its panthic image, by projecting a new, “young”, and development-oriented Akali Dal.
However, in the wake of electoral defeats in 2017 and 2022, SAD has now been focusing on reinforcing its core support base among Sikhs and farmers by adhering to its traditional panthic agenda. After distancing itself from its decades-old ally – the BJP, SAD is prioritizing issues central to the Sikh community and agrarian concerns. The move comes as a response to the party's declining influence and the need to re-establish its identity as the primary protector of Sikh and Punjab interests.
Historical Context and Electoral Performance
The party's downfall began with a series of sacrilege incidents and related police firings that shook Punjab in 2015 during its regime, severely tarnishing its panthic image. Rivals seized the opportunity to accuse the Akali Dal of orchestrating the desecration of the holy birs (Sikh holy book) for political gain. The party also faced allegations of ordering police to open fire on the "peaceful" protests against the sacrilege. In response, two Commissions of Inquiry, led by former High Court judges, were established, yet the issue remains unresolved, with no clarity on the involvement of the Badals. But, the fallout from these events led to a dramatic decrease in its seat share, falling from 68 seats (out of 94 it contested in alliance with BJP) in the 2012 assembly polls to just 15 (out of 94) in 2017, and a mere three seats (out of 97) in 2022 when it contested in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The vote share also plummeted from 34.73 percent in 2012 to 25.2 percent in 2017, and a dismal 3.4 percent in 2022. SAD’s performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was also underwhelming, with only two seats won — by Sukhbir Badal in Ferozepur and Harsimrat Kaur Badal in Bathinda — garnering a vote share of 27.76 per cent. In 2014, SAD had won four seats, in alliance with BJP, with a vote share of 26.30 percent.
Efforts to Reclaim Panthic Identity
Making amends, SAD president Sukhbir Badal had, in 2023, publicly apologized for the party's failures during the 2015 sacrilege case. His father, five-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, had also done so. The party’s separation from the BJP, which it accuses of interfering in Sikh religious affairs, is a key part of its strategy to revive its panthic credentials. SAD has accused the BJP of meddling in the affairs of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and changing the management structure of Takht Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra. Besides, it has also been accusing BJP of going back on its promise, it made on the eve of Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th anniversary, regarding releasing the Sikh prisoners, languishing in jails across the country. SAD has also been vocal about the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences. The party has also been demanding the transfer of radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, behind bars under the stringent national Security Act (NSA), from Assam’s Dibrugarh jail to Punjab. “These were our very clear demands, and prerequisites for re-stitching the alliance with BJP…but they made no promise and we decided to go alone,” said a senior Akali leader. Other than the panth-related issues, SAD was also demanding withdrawal of cases against the farmers from the 2020 agitation and assurances on minimum support prices (MSP) for crops.
Challenges and Political Landscape
Despite its efforts, the road ahead for SAD is fraught with challenges. Political experts predict a divided Sikh electorate and a strong BJP presence in Hindu-dominated areas. The party’s performance in the upcoming polls will be crucial, as it will set the tone for the 2027 Assembly elections. Success in these polls could bolster Sukhbir’s leadership and help consolidate the party's support base.
Campaign Strategies and Rhetoric
SAD has been targeting the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on issues such as law and order, state finances, and unfulfilled promises. But while targeting the Congress, it is raking up the issues of in Operation Bluestar and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. In a master stroke against the Congress, Sukhbir has been appealing to the voters that Punjabis’ should teach Congress a lesson for attacking ‘Darbar Sahib’ (Golden Temple-Sikhs’ holiest shrine) 40 years ago “by voting for the panthic party”. In most of the election rallies, Sukhbir, flashing a picture of the bullet-riddled Akal Takht Sahib, says: “Every Punjabi and Sikh must remember that the date of polling in Punjab is June 1, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the launch of the army assault – Operation Bluestar – on ‘Sri Harmandir Sahib’ in 1984 by Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.” “Not even a single Congress leader has been punished in the cases related to anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, Kanpur, Nagpur and Kolkata. Every Punjabi and especially every Sikh must come out to teach the anti-Sikh Congress a lesson by voting for the Panthic party— Shiromani Akali Dal and its candidates on June 1,” he said, in one of the rally.
Electoral Alliances and Future Prospects
For the first time since 1996, SAD is contesting the Lok Sabha polls without an alliance with the BJP. This independent stance, being a regional party, is part of a broader strategy to emphasize its commitment to Punjab over political alliances. Sukhbir has emphasized that SAD's primary focus is on protecting Punjab's interests and upholding the principles of the Khalsa Panth. “For us, whether we win a seat or not, we will continue fighting for the state. The Akali Dal is a 103-year-old party with a history of struggles and agitations against oppression and discrimination. The Khalsa Panth is our base, and we won’t compromise on Punjab’s prestige and interests,” Sukhbir had said. As the SAD prepares for the June 1 Lok Sabha elections, with an eye on the 2027 state assembly polls, its efforts to revive its panthic image and address key Sikh and farmer issues will be crucial. This election marks a significant test for Sukhbir Badal's leadership and the party's ability to reclaim lost ground, especially as it is his first electoral challenge following the death of his father, the Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal. The results of these elections will set the stage for the 2027 Assembly elections, making the stakes especially high for the SAD.
