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.
Punjab Police have formed teams to arrest Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and others for allegedly creating a disturbance at Majitha police station and attempting to free a detainee. Police are conducting searches, while the Akali Dal claims political vendetta.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has sent a video clip linked to the killing of an assistant sub-inspector to the Punjab director general of police. The video allegedly shows the officer being shot at point-blank range.
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.
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.
'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'
Former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, injured in a 'kirpan' attack at a Nanded gurdwara, has vowed to prevent 'forces' from disturbing peace in Punjab and the country, asserting his party, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), will not be deterred.
If everything goes according to plan, a resuscitated SAD could emerge as a central player in Punjab in three years, notes Aditi Phadnis.
An alert police officer, Inspector Santosh Kendre, sustained injuries while bravely intervening to protect former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from a kirpan attack inside a gurdwara in Nanded. Kendre's timely action blunted the assailant's blow, leading to his own injury but ensuring Badal's safety.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has called for the immediate passage of the women's reservation bill and the delimitation bill, advocating for a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats for all states to ensure fair and equitable representation.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal underwent a 90-minute surgery for a 'kirpan' attack injury sustained inside a gurdwara in Nanded and is now stable, with doctors repairing a tendon and ulnar artery nerve.
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.
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.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked inside a gurdwara near Nanded, Maharashtra, by a 'sewadar' (volunteer) named Jaspal Singh. The accused, a Pune resident, has been arrested, and police are investigating his motive, though he initially cited anger over the drug menace in Punjab. Badal sustained minor injuries and is stable.
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.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) has launched its 'vision document' outlining its ideological direction and commitment to the rise of the 'Panth' and the progress of Punjab. The 'Akali Declaration 2026' addresses issues concerning youth, farmers, women, and other sections of society, with a focus on education, health, and internal party reforms.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal sustained a minor injury to his right hand after being attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang member inside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra. The assailant has been arrested, and SAD leaders are demanding a CBI probe into what they term an intelligence failure.
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.
Chandigarh police on Saturday used tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse protesters who tried to breach barricades during a march towards Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's residence, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, including Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence for the assassination of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995.
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.'
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia for allegedly storming into a police station in Amritsar to forcibly release a detainee.
The new laws require even Sikhs to remove their turbans while being searched.
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 CBI conducted a late-night raid at the Punjab Vigilance office in Mohali, arresting several middlemen allegedly involved in collecting bribes for a senior officer. The raid was part of an investigation into a bribery allegation of around 20 lakh. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised the AAP government over the incident.
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 Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced it will contest the upcoming elections to 102 nagar councils and nine municipal corporations on the party symbol. The decision was made at a meeting presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party also addressed concerns about the anti-sacrilege law and the law and order situation in Punjab.
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.
Punjab Police conducted raids at the residence of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia and others for allegedly storming a police station and attempting to free a detainee. The Akali Dal alleges political vendetta, while police assert that action will be taken regardless of status.
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.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has criticised the AAP government in Punjab, alleging a rise in organised crime and a deteriorating law and order situation.
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.
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.
'Some people may not like what I am saying, but shortcomings have to be pointed out. These deficiencies should be rectified within the next three months.' 'This is Gorakhpur, where our CM himself resides. If such shortcomings exist here, then what will happen?'
Authorities used teargas and cane charge to restore order after a clash among inmates at Kapurthala jail. The incident occurred late Saturday night, with some inmates setting clothes on fire. The situation is now under control, with no injuries reported among jail staff.
