Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on December 25 announced to set up its party units in all States across the country that have a Sikh population.
The announcement made by SAD president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal is being seen as the party’s effort to return to its core “panthic” (Sikh) agenda ahead of next year’s general election to regain its relevance in State politics. SAD, the century-old regional party, has been going through a challenging time after facing a drubbing in the Assembly polls of 2017 and 2022, besides the poor show in parliamentary elections in Punjab.
In New Delhi, Mr. Badal said “..this (setting up of party units) was part of a process to effect ‘Panthic’ unity in the Sikh quom. The community is facing various challenges and the resolution of all can only be achieved if we all get united under the flag of the Panth - that of the Shiromani Akali Dal,” he said.
