Sukhbir Badal Begins Fresh Membership Drive in Badal Village; Targets 50 Lakh Members for SAD

Sukhbir Badal Begins Fresh Membership Drive in Badal Village; Targets 50 Lakh Members for SAD

Sukhbir Badal Begins Fresh Membership Drive in Badal Village; Targets 50 Lakh Members for SAD

Badal Village, Punjab: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday launched its fresh membership drive. Former party president Sukhbir Singh Badal re-registered as a member at the party office in Badal village. The drive is part of the party’s broader strategy to strengthen grassroots support, with a target of enrolling 50 lakh members across Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the party was concentrating on membership mobilization under the leadership of acting president Balwinder Singh Bhunder. “Today is the day when our membership drive starts as scheduled on January 10. From the Lambi Assembly constituency alone, we expect nearly 40,000 new members to join the SAD,” he said.

The new membership campaign has generated much controversy as, recently, rebel Akali leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala asked the Akal Takht Jathedar Raghbir Singh for a clarification over whether the campaign is valid or not. Wadala claimed that the only authority empowered to look into the membership campaign is the seven-member committee set up by the Akal Takht on December 2, 2023.

After meeting the Jathedar, Wadala claimed he was advised to consult Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami to resolve the matter. The committee includes prominent figures such as former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, SAD leader Iqbal Singh Jhunda, and rebel leaders like Wadala himself.

The SAD, however, dismissed the claim by constituting its own panel on January 10 to oversee the drive. Senior SAD leaders, including former minister Daljit Singh Cheema, have made similar fears that the party’s recognition by the Election Commission of India would be lost in case the current directives of the Akal Takht committee are obeyed.

Commenting on the recent Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections, Sukhbir Singh Badal hailed the results as a clear mandate against interference in religious matters. “The public has given a clear message to the political leaders and gurus who were interfering with the religious affairs of Sikhs. Losing candidates like Baljit Singh Daduwal are known agents of disruptive forces seeking to create schism within the Sikh community.

The outcome consolidates the Sikh stance on being free to determine religious matters themselves,” Sukhbir said. He also criticized the formation of the HSGPC, attributing its creation to individuals with ulterior motives aimed at weakening the SGPC.

The party is now confronted with internal issues and external pressure as the SAD begins its aggressive membership campaign. The inclusion of religious authorities and committees points to the fact that the party’s actions should be in harmony with Sikh principles. On the other hand, the SAD leadership is optimistic that it can again gain momentum and regain its grip on Punjab.

The coming weeks will tell if the SAD can achieve its ambitious target of 50 lakh members and overcome the resistance posed by dissenting voices within the Akali fold.