Shiromani Akali Dal to Elect New President on April 12 in Amritsar

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will hold elections to choose its new party president on April 12. The election will take place at Teja Singh Samundari Hall in the Golden Temple complex, Amritsar.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the party’s working committee, which was led by Balwinder Singh Bhundar. On April 13, the party will also organise a political conference at Talwandi Sabo to mark the occasion of Baisakhi.

The SAD clarified that the presidential election will be held as per its own membership process, not by the panel earlier formed by former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh.

Concerns Raised by SAD

Party leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said the working committee raised serious concerns about the worsening law and order situation in Punjab. The party pointed out recent bomb blasts, the attack on Thakurdwara temple, the vandalising of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statues, and a grenade attack on BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence. SAD blamed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and demanded his resignation.

The party also opposed the recent amendments to the Waqf Act, saying that such moves could hurt the interests of the minority community and lead to more polarisation in the country. They also recalled the Centre’s earlier interference in the management of Sri Hazur Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib.

SAD leaders further alleged that outsiders from Delhi are controlling Punjab’s governance. They criticized the display of Delhi AAP leaders’ names on school plaques, while local MPs, MLAs, and school committees were left out. They called this a violation of the Constitution.