Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working committee on Monday unanimously passed a resolution urging the party president Sukhbir Singh Badal to reconsider his resignation. Asserting their unwavering confidence in his leadership, the committee members declared that they would resign en masse if he stepped down. 

The pivotal decision, made during the SAD working committee’s marathon three-hour meeting in Chandigarh, highlighted the party’s effort to rally behind its leader amid growing internal and external challenges. SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder announced that the committee would seek feedback from grassroots leaders, including district presidents, halqa in-charges, and the members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to ensure a collective and democratic decision-making process.

Sukhbir, who has led the SAD since 2008, had submitted his resignation following growing dissent within the party and criticism over decisions made during his tenure, including unresolved issues related to the 2015 sacrilege incidents. The Akal Takht Sahib had also declared Sukhbir “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct), further complicating his position within the party.

Notably, Sukhbir had appointed Balwinder Singh Bhunder as SAD’s working president on August 29 this year—a day before the Sikhs’ highest temporal seat, Akal Takht, declared him “tankhaiya” for alleged lapses during his tenure between 2007 and 2017. These lapses, according to the Akal Takht, caused significant harm to Sikh interests and tarnished the panth’s image. The charges included failing to take action against those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents and granting pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. The "tankhaiya" status remains unresolved as the Akal Takht has yet to pronounce a formal “tankhah” (punishment) to Sukhbir.

However, the Committee made it clear that his leadership was indispensable at this critical juncture. “Sukhbir Badal is not just a leader; he is the symbol of our party’s resilience. His resignation would render us vulnerable to conspiracies aimed at dismantling our unity,” said Bhunder, emphasizing the need for collective strength. 

“In a democratic setup, decisions must reflect collective opinion. We will conduct district and constituency-level meetings to ensure every leader’s voice is heard,” said Bhunder, while addressing the media following the meeting. He added, “We will be calling the district heads, constituency in-charges, and SGPC members to the party head office on separate dates to get their feedback. Afterwards, a collective decision will be taken.”

Grassroots Support for Sukhbir

Youth Akali Dal president Sarabjeet Singh Jinjher and several other loyalists expressed unwavering support for Sukhbir, warning of a cascading effect of resignations if his decision was accepted. Senior leaders such as former MLA NK Sharma and Ludhiana (Urban) president Bhupinder Singh Bhinda have already tendered their resignations in solidarity, underscoring the deep emotional connection many leaders share with Sukhbir. 

SAD spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema remarked, “This is not just about an individual but the collective strength of the party. The emotions of our cadre are intertwined with the legacy of our leaders.”

Bhunder said that he has been flooded with calls from party leaders who have expressed shock at the turn of events and he has accordingly decided to schedule meetings of district presidents, constituency in-charges and SGPC members to allow them to convey their sentiments to the party.

A History of Leadership Struggles 

Calls for leadership change in the SAD date back to 2017 when the party suffered a major defeat in the Punjab Assembly elections, after ruling Punjab for a decade, winning two consecutive elections under Parkash Singh Badal’s leadership. The trend of diminishing vote share continued through subsequent elections — 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 2022 assembly polls, and finally parliamentary polls early this year — fueling demands for introspection and reform. The formation of a rebel faction, Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar, earlier this year intensified pressure on the leadership, with the group demanding accountability and an apology for past mistakes.