With the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) grappling with a severe internal crisis, the panthic party on Thursday made a strategic decision to appoint Balwinder Singh Bhunder, a close aide and trusted soldier of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, as its working president.
The move, announced by senior party leader Daljit Singh Cheema via a post on ‘X,’ came in anticipation of a high-stakes meeting of the Sikh clergy scheduled for Friday (August 30). The meeting, led by Akal Takht Jathedar (head priest) Giani Raghbir Singh, is poised to be a turning point for SAD, which has been facing significant internal and external challenges.
The August 30 meeting is expected to be centered on the issue of forgiveness sought by SAD president Sukhbir Badal for alleged mistakes committed during the SAD tenure from 2007 to 2017. The meeting is also likely to address an apology letter — submitted by Sukhbir in response to the allegations levelled by a faction of SAD’s rebel leaders — which has been a focal point of contention within the party and among its supporters. Through his letter, Sukhbir acknowledged various errors made by the SAD-led Government, including controversial decisions and failures that have fueled dissatisfaction and dissent.
Key among the grievances highlighted by the party’s ‘rebel’ faction are the revocation of the blasphemy case against Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the failure to address the Bargari sacrilege adequately, and the appointment of controversial figures such as IPS officer Sumedh Singh Saini, among others.
The rebels also criticized the SAD for giving party tickets to Farzana Alam, the wife of a controversial police officer, and for alleged failures in justice delivery related to fake encounter cases. These issues have been a source of deep division within the party and have significantly tarnished its reputation.
The decision to appoint Bhunder as working president is seen as a strategic response to the party’s internal turbulence and declining political influence. Bhunder, a former minister and taksali leader, is known for his close association with the Badal family. His appointment comes at a time when SAD is experiencing its worst-ever political crisis, marked by unprecedented low representation in both the state assembly and the Parliament. The party has been plagued by rebellion from within, coupled with a series of electoral setbacks that have eroded its standing.
Of late, the creation of a six-member parliamentary board under Bhunder’s leadership is a notable development. The board, which is now handling decisions traditionally made by the Badal family, signifies a shift in the party’s internal dynamics. For over two decades, such decisions were centralized, but Bhunder’s appointment suggested a move towards a more collective decision-making process.
Additionally, SAD has announced a three-day delegate meeting at Anandpur Sahib in November — a significant event which is also happening after years, or were previously held only for electing the party president.
Bhunder’s role as working president is also expected to address the party’s organizational challenges and restore some semblance of stability. His appointment reflected the party’s attempt to navigate through its crisis, with the hope of rejuvenating its image and re-establishing its influence in Punjab politics. The upcoming Sikh clergy meeting will be a critical test for SAD, determining whether the party can reconcile its internal conflicts and regain its standing among its supporters and the broader electorate.
As the August 30 meeting approaches, all eyes will be on the Sikh clergy’s decision and its implications for the future of SAD. The outcome will likely shape the party’s strategy moving forward and could either pave the way for a renewed political resurgence or deepen its current woes.
