Former IAS officer Kanwaljeet Singh Cheema joins the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), with party president Sukhbir Singh Badal highlighting his administrative experience and criticising the AAP government's performance in Punjab.
Badal's resignation came days after he urged the Akal Takht Jathedar to pronounce his punishment for religious misconduct charges, saying more than two months have passed since he was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct).
The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal swept the by-polls in three assembly constituencies of Punjab by drubbing rival Congress on Thursday with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal making his entry to the Vidhan Sabha.
Rebel Akali leader Barjinder Singh Makhan Brar resigns from Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), accusing party leaders of misleading the Sikh community and colluding with external agencies to weaken the Shiromani Akali Dal.
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal announced the decision to snap ties with the NDA on Saturday night, amid stepped up agitation by farmers in Punjab over the three legislations which were recently passed by Parliament amid Opposition protests.
The 62-year-old former deputy chief minister was first elected the party president in 2008. His re-election at the outfit's general delegate session in Amritsar comes barely four months after he quit after he was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht for "mistakes" committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its government from 2007 to 2017.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira visited the family of Ranjit Singh, who was killed in a police encounter in Gurdaspur. Both leaders expressed their support for the family and called for an independent investigation into the incident.
'Both the parties stood by the BJP through thick and thin, while others joined when they smelt power. The Shiv Sena was forced to quit the NDA last year while the Shiromani Akali Dal quit over farm bills'
If everything goes according to plan, a resuscitated SAD could emerge as a central player in Punjab in three years, notes Aditi Phadnis.
The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab on Sunday retained the Amritsar South assembly seat. SAD candidate Inderbir Singh Bolaria trounced his nearest rival Congress candidate Navdeep Singh Goldy by a margin of 22, 233 votes.
Ending its suspense, the Shiromani Akali Dal has decided to vote against the UPA government on the nuclear deal. The decision was announced by party supremo Parkash Singh Badal.
"Punjab and Maharashtra represent manliness and Akali Dal and Shiv Sena are the faces of that manliness," it said.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging a decline in law and order and accusing them of using financial schemes to sway voters ahead of elections.
Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday night suspended Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, who is at loggerheads with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on the Centre's reported conditional loan-waiver offer, from the party on the charge of anti-party activities.
The Shiromani Akali Dal had on Saturday quit the National Democratic Alliance over the farm bills issue.
'The distrust of traditional political parties in Punjab is an advantage for AAP.'
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has criticised the Bhagwant Mann government, alleging that the arrest of AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra is a 'stage-managed show' designed to divert attention from the suicide of a warehousing corporation official.
The Shiromani Akali Dal also issued a two-day ultimatum to her to stop "anti-party" activities, failing which, it said, strict disciplinary action would be taken against her.
The new laws require even Sikhs to remove their turbans while being searched.
Often credited with his party's victory in the 2012 assembly polls, now 59, he became the youngest chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal, when he was elevated to the post in 2008.
The Akali Dal, an ally of the BJP, has written to the parliamentary committee opposing certain clauses in the land acquisition bill. A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com speaks to Akali Dal MPs to find out why they oppose the controversial legislation.
It was not that differences did not crop up over other issues between the two erstwhile allies, but Parkash Singh Badal always ensured that these were amicably resolved and the ties remained intact.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned following allegations related to the suicide of a Warehouse Corporation district manager. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered a probe into the matter.
Opposition parties in Punjab, including SAD and Congress, have criticised the AAP government for allegedly misusing state funds by painting state-owned buses in the colours associated with the Aam Aadmi Party.
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Friday announced sweeping organisational reforms, saying it will now follow the one family, one ticket principle at elections and ensure that half of its contestants are below 50.
Majithia had surrendered after the February 20 state assembly polls and is currently lodged in a Patiala jail.
They handed the apology letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh at the Akal Takht Secretariat at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Akal Takht is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs.
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday attacked Rahul Gandhi for his comments that the Congress government had tried to stop the 1984 riots in Delhi, alleging that the party had shielded individuals who were involved in the "carnage" against the Sikhs.
Opposition parties in Punjab are criticising Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for refusing to order a CBI investigation into the suicide of a warehousing corporation official, alleging a cover-up to protect a former minister.
There are clear signs that the party is re-starting its journey to relevance by going back to its core Panthic agenda, on the basis of which it was founded over a century ago, reports Sai Manish.
A village sarpanch was shot dead in Punjab's Moga district, with police suspecting personal rivalry as the motive. This marks the third such killing in the state in recent months, raising concerns about law and order.
A local Aam Aadmi Party leader was shot at in Punjab's Fazilka district with the ruling party and MLA Jagdeep Kamboj accusing a leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal of opening the fire.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take urgent steps for the evacuation of Indian citizens stuck in countries affected by the recent joint Israel-US attack on Iran.
Three people have been arrested for the attack.
The cremation of a warehousing corporation official who died by suicide after accusing former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar of harassment was held in Amritsar. Bhullar has been arrested for abetting suicide, sparking a political row and demands for a CBI probe.
The former deputy chief minister, a Z+ protectee, arrived at the Ananadpur Sahib shrine surrounded by security personnel. Dressed in blue 'sewadar' uniform, Badal sat at the entrance of the gurdwara with a spear in one hand.
Pro-Khalistan slogans were on Friday raised by supporters and activists of radical Sikh outfits at the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs, while a peaceful bandh was observed around the Golden Temple and interior walled city on the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar.
Nancy Grewal, a 45-year-old social media influencer of Punjabi origin, was stabbed to death in Canada. Her mother claims she had been receiving threats. Police are investigating the homicide.
The Shiromani Akali Dal has appealed to the United States government to consider a humanitarian view of truck driver Harjinder Singh, who faces a vehicular homicide case. The party also requested the Indian government to provide consular and legal assistance.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances