More than two months after the Sikhs’ highest temporal seat, Akal Takht, declared Sukhbir Badal as ‘tankhaiya’ accusing him of violating the Sikh religious code of conduct, the 62-year-old on Saturday resigned from the post of the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — marking the end of a 15-year tenure.

Sukhbir, who succeeded his father and Punjab’s five-time former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal as SAD president in 2008, submitted his resignation to the party’s working committee. SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema confirmed the development, stating that Sukhbir Badal made the move to facilitate the election of a new leader as party chief and thanked party leaders and workers for their unwavering support. 

The decision follows a turbulent period for Sukhbir Badal. On August 30, the Akal Takht Sahib held him guilty of decisions taken during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister from 2007 to 2017, which allegedly harmed Sikh interests. Since then, Sukhbir Badal has been politically inactive, with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh clarifying that he was barred from participating in political activities until his ‘tankhaiya’ status was resolved. 

Internal Dissent and Political Decline 

Sukhbir Badal’s leadership faced increasing criticism over the years. Voices of dissent within the party grew louder after the sacrilege incidents of 2015 and the party’s poor performance in the 2017 and 2022 Punjab Assembly elections with the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state’s political scene. Following the party’s repeated defeats in two assembly polls, a party committee was constituted under Iqbal Singh Jhunda which suggested change of leadership to improve Akali Dal’s standing in Punjab.

With SAD’s another embarrassing defeat in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, a splinter group — Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar — was formed under former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala with senior leaders like former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Minister Bibi Jagir Kaur, and others, further pressuring Sukhbir Badal to step down.

Welcoming Sukhbir’s resignation, former MP Chandumajra described it a necessary step for the party’s revival. “SAD has weakened under Sukhbir’s leadership. His resignation opens the path to strengthening the party and addressing the pressing issues of Punjab,” he said.

A Legacy of Highs and Lows 

Sukhbir’s political career spans decades, beginning in 1996 when he was elected as an MP from Faridkot. He served as a Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and later transitioned to state politics, becoming Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab in 2009. Under his leadership, the SAD-BJP alliance secured a consecutive victory in the 2012 Assembly elections.

However, his tenure was marred by controversies, including the sacrilege incidents and allegations of mishandling issues affecting Punjab’s farmers and youth. The party’s decline in subsequent elections has been attributed to his leadership style and decision-making. 

Road Ahead for SAD 

With Sukhbir’s resignation, the spotlight now shifts to the election of a new president. SAD’s working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder has called for an emergency meeting of the party’s working committee on November 18 to discuss the resignation and outline the roadmap for organizational elections. 

Explaining the electoral process, Daljit Singh Cheema said: “The membership drive will be conducted first, followed by the election of circle, district, and state delegates. These state delegates will ultimately elect the new president and office bearers.” 

Political Reactions 

Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian criticized the SAD, alleging that its governance record created problems for the people. “The people of Punjab are happy with the Aam Aadmi Party now,” he added.

However, SAD leaders view this transition as an opportunity for renewal. “The resignation is a step toward integrating the party’s power and focusing on issues that matter to the people of Punjab,” said Chandumajra. 

Sukhbir Badal’s resignation marked a pivotal moment for SAD, offering a chance for the party to regroup and redefine its vision.