Amritsar: Sukhbir Singh Badal’s dramatic move of resigning as president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following his designation as tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht has raised questions about whether the party is on the brink of a pivotal transformation or if it is a calculated attempt at image makeover to win back the party’s Sikh voter base.
The SAD’s working committee has yet to deliberate formally on Badal’s resignation, but speculation is rife about the future of the party’s leadership. While some of the insiders believe that delegates might persuade Sukhbir to remain at the helm, others see this as an opportunity for ambitious leaders within the party to seize control of its presidency. Political analyst P Ajnala, who views the resignation as a critical juncture for the SAD, said: “If the resignation is accepted, it could destabilise the party at a time when its political relevance is waning already. On the other hand, it might also be an attempt by Sukhbir to reposition himself as a devout religio-political leader committed to the Akal Takht.”
The Akal Takht’s declaration of Sukhbir as tankhaiya stems from the controversial decisions of his leadership tenure, such as the unresolved Bargari sacrilege incident and the contentious pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. These events eroded the party’s traditional Sikh support. Gurpartap Singh Tikka, a former SAD politician now with the BJP, called the ‘tankha’ a severe blow to Sukhbir’s standing within the Sikh community but noted how his administration had also made notable contributions to Punjab and the Panth.
The upcoming election for the SAD president will test whether the party can reinvent itself or continue its downward spiral. Some speculate the party might distance itself from Sukhbir temporarily to recalibrate its strategies, only to welcome him back later as a stronger, more relatable leader.