Sukhbir Singh Badal Re-Elected President of Shiromani Akali Dal During Party Session in Amritsar:

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal had his tenure renewed on Saturday, during the party's general delegate session held in Teja Singh Samundari Hall within the Sri Darbar Sahib complex, Amritsar.

Proposing his name was the working president of the party, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, and it was supported by senior leader Parmjit Singh Sarna.

Key Leaders Present at the Session

Harsimrat Kaur Badal - MP (Bathinda) and spouse of Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Bikram Singh Majithia, former Punjab minister

Daljit Singh Cheema, senior leader

Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, party veteran

The presence of these leaders provided conclusive evidence that, ignoring recent controversies, the bulk of the SAD leadership voiced solidarity with Badal.

Context: Resignation Following Religious Verdict

On November 16, 2024, the former deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal resigned after being pronounced a ‘tankhaiya’ (having committed a religious blasphemy that invites punishment) by the Akal Takht. As part of his reasoning, the Takht blamed him for “errors” committed by SAD and its Government from 2007 to 2017.

In January 2025, Badal was granted his resignation by the working committee of the party, which commenced a new campaign to refresh obsolete membership records.”

Political Rebound and Party Realignment

Badal being re-elected is another tactical political advantage for himself and the Shiromani Akali Dal. His reinstatement indicates that there seems to be party consolidation which seeks to recover SAD's stronghold in the political dynamics of Punjab before the elections.

This is also regarded as a balancing act of the religious head and the politician within the SAD structure.