In a dramatic turn of events, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday decided to withdraw its support for its candidate Surjit Kaur in the ensuing Jalandhar by-election, opting instead to back the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The move, announced by the party’s senior leaders during a high-stakes press conference in Chandigarh, highlighted the deepening rift within the party.

The infighting within SAD has reached a boiling point, with former Minister Daljit Singh Cheema accusing senior party members — SGPC’s former president Bibi Jagir Kaur and former MLA Gurpreet Singh Wadala — of bypassing party leadership to field Surjit Kaur. This rogue decision, according to Cheema, was a “deliberate attempt to undermine the leadership of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal by engineering a likely electoral defeat”.

The internal discord has cast a shadow over the party's unity, exposing the cracks within its ranks as leaders vie for control and influence.

SAD MLA Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi, who was also the part of the four-member panel for selecting candidate for Jalandhar (West) by-election, disclosed that Surjit Kaur had initially agreed to withdraw her nomination following the party's decision. However, she later reversed her decision, adding to the internal discord. This unexpected U-turn created a confusing situation in Jalandhar, which the party leaders described as a planned move to ensure her defeat and shift the blame onto the party president.

The decision to support the BSP in Jalandhar West underscored the strategic alliance between SAD and BSP. Cheema reiterated the party’s commitment to this alliance, highlighting the need for collective strength to achieve their political goals. He assured that the decision was made in the best interest of the party and its long-term objectives.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Cheema accused the dissident leaders of deliberately undermining the party's unity and leadership. He noted that such actions were not new, pointing to past incidents where leaders had defied the party’s directives for personal gains. He referenced party’s patron and former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s past revolt against Sukhbir Badal’s leadership after his son and former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, was denied a Lok Sabha ticket.

Cheema used the platform to make a heartfelt appeal to the disgruntled party members, urging them to express their concerns within the party rather than through public dissent. He emphasized that SAD, more than any other party, allows for internal democratic freedom. However, he stressed that once a decision is made by the majority, it is essential to support and promote it to maintain organizational cohesion.

Cheema also touched upon the Jhundan Committee report, which had recommended the principle of one family, one ticket. He lamented that certain leaders had consistently ignored these recommendations, causing further rifts within the party. He cited the example of Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who was willing to forgo her ticket in favour of her husband Sukhbir Badal to adhere to the committee's recommendations.

“Those trying to weaken the khalsa panth as well as the party have already rejected the Jhundan committee report in letter and spirit and have never abided even by the one-family one-ticket norm,” said Cheema, adding that these leaders always say one thing in the meeting and do quite the opposite outside.

Stating that the party president Sukhbir Singh Badal is fully devoted to strengthen the party from grassroot level to the top, Cheema announced that he would continue holding meetings with the party cadre in the days ahead.

SAD chief would meet and discuss current issues with the Youth Akali Dal office bearers on June 29, then Istri Akali Dal and SC wing of the party on July 1, and further SGPC members and BC wing of the party on July 2.