Chandigarh- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab termed the election of Sukhbir Singh Badal as the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a complete farce. AAP Senior Leader Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Akali Dal can never move forward under the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal. What they got today is not a genuine leader but a fake president chosen solely on the basis of power, family control, and money. There is no democracy left in their party. The people of Punjab have already rejected them before, and history will repeat itself. SAD has become nothing more than a private limited company of the Badal family, with no regard for public sentiment or democratic principles.”
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang has sharply criticized the appointment of Sukhbir Singh Badal as the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), calling it a continuation of the Badal family’s dominance over the party. Kang stated that the prolonged drama surrounding SAD's leadership culminated in a decision that was evident from the beginning—that the presidency would remain with the family.
Kang said, “During their time in power, the Badal family committed grave sins against the Panth (Sikh community), caused significant harm to Panthic institutions, and disrespected their sanctity. After being ousted from power, there was a ray of hope among the people when they appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and admitted their mistakes. However, their subsequent actions not only insulted the Jathedars of the Takht Sahib but also showed utter disregard for the supreme authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which holds immense significance in Sikhism and is a symbol of unity and faith.”
Kang highlighted the betrayal of Panthic principles, saying, “The Shiromani Akali Dal was born at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to uphold Panthic traditions. Yet, this very party disrespected the Jathedars, undermined the authority of the Takht, and pursued its selfish agenda. The Panth will never forgive such actions. It is disheartening to see individuals with Panthic sentiments, who remain loyal to the Akali Dal with hopes of safeguarding Sikh traditions, end up becoming subservient to the very family that caused irreparable damage to Sikh institutions.”
Kang further criticized the Badal family for prioritizing their personal power and political gains over the welfare of the Sikh community. He alleged that the family continues to manipulate and exploit Panthic values for its survival. “Whether it’s the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) or the Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Badals use these institutions solely for their benefit, sidelining those who truly stand for Panthic principles. They have disrespected Panthic traditions, engaged in the character assassination of leaders, and betrayed the sentiments of dedicated Akali Dal workers, ” Kang added.
The AAP MP concluded by saying, “The leadership of SAD remains trapped in the hands of a single family, which continues to betray its workers and the Panth.”
AAP Spokesperson Neel Garg criticized the reappointment of Sukhbir Singh Badal as the president of Shiromani Akali Dal, calling it a mere formality of announcing a decision that was scripted long ago. He condemned the Badal family's continued dominance over the party, labeling it the same old "Badal Akali Dal" that brought Punjab to ruin by flooding the state with drugs, fostering mafia rule, and neglecting the voices of farmers. Garg asserted that the people of Punjab have recognized the truth and, once they reject someone, they do so permanently, signaling that the Badal regime has no future in the state.
AAP leader Baltej Pannu took a sharp jibe at the Shiromani Akali Dal, likening it to a "Son and Dad (SAD) Private Limited Company" that has once again chosen its owner as the Managing Director.