The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a prominent Sikh political party in Punjab, is facing a significant challenge as a parallel faction has emerged, led by Giani Harpreet Singh, the former acting Jathedar of Akal Takht. This reconstituted SAD claims to have over 1.4 million members and intends to retain the party's name and election symbol, potentially deepening the divisions within the existing Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD.

Giani Harpreet Singh was elected president of this new faction on Monday, marking a formal challenge to Sukhbir Singh Badal's leadership. The formation of the reorganized SAD stems from a directive issued by the Akal Takht on December 2, 2024, which accused the Badal-led party of losing its moral authority and declared Sukhbir Badal as "tankhiya," meaning guilty of religious misconduct. Sukhbir's camp has alleged that the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is behind the efforts to unseat him.

In a speech following his election, Giani Harpreet Singh criticized the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD for losing its political and moral relevance and failing the youth of Punjab. He stated that the party had become a tool for self-interest, leading to its national irrelevance. Harpreet Singh vowed to revive the "original spirit" of the Akali Dal, emphasizing service, sacrifice, and Sikh values. He lamented the decline of the Sikh community's economic status and accused the current leadership of enabling this decline.

The emergence of this parallel faction represents a significant challenge to the established SAD, which has been grappling with factionalism and electoral losses. The death of veteran Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa in May 2025 further complicates the situation. Dhindsa, who passed away at the age of 89, was a respected figure within the party, and his absence creates a leadership vacuum.

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa had a long and eventful political career. He served as a Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government and was a member of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Dhindsa was also a former president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt), which was formed by the merger of Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali). He had returned to the Shiromani Akali Dal political party by merging his party back into it in March 2024. Despite his long association with the SAD, Dhindsa was expelled from the party in 2024 for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities.

The reconstituted SAD's decision to retain the party's name and symbol sets the stage for potential conflicts and legal battles with the existing SAD. It remains to be seen whether this new faction will be able to garner significant support and pose a credible challenge to the Badal-led party in future elections. The events are unfolding at a time when SAD is trying to maintain its relevance in Punjab politics.