Shiromani Akali Dal elects new president, aims for revival amidst internal revolt

Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will conduct its election for new party President and office-bearers at a crucial meeting at Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) headquarters in Amritsar. The election is after Sukhbir Singh Badal resigned as party President, which had triggered internal discussions to decide SAD's future leadership.

SAD aims for political revival

SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal emphasized the importance of the event, directing towards the party's determination to re-establish its political presence in Punjab. According to Grewal, "Today is the SAD President's election, and yet we have rebel group leaders Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, BJP, and even MPs talking against us. We are not in power nor in a majority why do these parties feel so threatened by us?"

Party chiefs hopeful of revival

SAD women's wing leader J. Sohal expressed hopes of revival in the party and said, "There is enormous enthusiasm among the workers now. Shiromani Akali Dal is Punjab's mother party. No government has brought about development as we have." Sohal criticized the SAD rebel group as well and accused the BJP of supporting them.

A glance at SAD's history

SAD has a history of 105 years, started from its inception on 14th December 1920. SAD was established with the objective of being the religious, social, as well as political voice of Sikh community. SAD has played a dominant role in the politics of Punjab, guiding its actions by the ideology of "Main Maran Te Panth Jive (Let me die, but let the Panth live)".

Election process 

567 delegates have been elected to cast their votes for the new party leader. The election process is taking place at the Teja Singh Samundri Hall, a historical venue and administrative center of the SGPC, in line with tradition.