final-revolt-against-badal-shapes-up-in-akali-dal

The final and possibly decisive revolt is shaping up against Sukhbir Badal within his party, the Shiromani Akali Dal, which he has been heading for over a decade now. 

 

On Tuesday, senior Akali leaders gathered in Jalandhar to chalk out the further course of action to redeem the party. The party leadership urged Sukhbir that he should accept the popular verdict, asking him indirectly to step aside.

 

The leaders decided to launch the “Save Akali Dal Movement” also, suggesting the removal of Sukhbir as the party president and replacing him with some eminent leader who has a hold over mainstream and panthic politics. The meeting was attended by some of Sukhbir’s loyalists also. 

 

These leaders appeared to have deliberately organised the meeting in Jalandhar today, while Sukhbir Badal had convened a meeting of the assembly constituency in charge in Chandigarh. 

 

Senior and prominent Akali leaders attended the meeting. They included Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjeet Singh Rakhra, Sikander Singh Maluka, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Kiranjot Kaur (granddaughter of Master Tara Singh) Manjit Singh, Surinder Bhullewal, Gurpartap Wadala, Charanjit Brar, Harinder Pal Tohra, Gaganjit Barnala, Paramjit Landran, Parminder Dhindsa, Balbir Ghunas, Randhir Rakhra, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Karnail Panjoli, Sarwan Singh Phillaur and others. 

 

Reacting to this meeting, Sukhbir described it as an attempt to weaken the path. However, his argument may not be taken seriously since there has been a persistent demand from the majority of Akali leaders and workers that there must be a change in the leadership. 

 

The last proverbial straw on Sukhbir’s back was the poor performance of the party in the recently held General Elections, in which the party could win only the Bathinda seat and lost security deposit in ten other constituencies. 

 

The vote share of the party also dipped to just 13 per cent, while its erstwhile partner the BJP got 18.5 per cent, although it could not win any seat. 

 

While the opinion remains divided on whether any non-Badal may be able to lead the Akali Dal and keep the party together, there is a general perception that if Sukhbir Badal steps aside, the party may be able to revive and redeem itself. 

 

The public perception of the Badals is too strong and too deep.

 

Some senior party leaders the News Arena India spoke to admitted that the writing was on the wall and that Sukhbir should step aside. 

 

They said, that while it is a fact that he has managed to keep the flock together despite consistent drubbings and against all odds since 2017, he should be magnanimous enough and hand over the reins to anyone the party wants, in the interest of the party.

 

They said, given the deep and strong connection he has with the party’s rank and file at the grassroots, it is difficult to imagine that Sukhbir’s influence may in any way get reduced. 

 

They quoted the example of the Congress, where the Gandhis stepped aside by appointing Mallikarjun Kharge as the president. 

 

They said the Badals’ contribution to the Shiromani Akali Dal can not be ignored or overlooked. But at the same time, they added, the situation demands that he should step aside, right now while respecting public sentiment, and maybe he will soon return at the helm once things get streamlined.