Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has urged the Election Commission of India to halt the upcoming presidential elections of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), citing concerns over transparency and alleged internal discord.
In a letter dated April 9, Randhawa raised objections regarding the SAD’s recent membership drive, claiming that the party had failed to disclose key details such as the number of members enrolled, fees collected, and the process through which delegates were elected.
He stated that there was no authenticated or published list of delegates eligible to vote in the presidential election, scheduled to take place on April 12 at Teja Singh Samundari Hall within the Sri Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar.
Randhawa further alleged that SAD had not provided clarity on the bank accounts where membership fees were deposited and questioned the legality of conducting the election at a religious site, arguing that the party’s registered office in Chandigarh should have been the appropriate venue.
Highlighting the activities of a rival faction within SAD—currently running a parallel membership drive—Randhawa warned that proceeding with the election amid such unresolved disputes could lead to legal complications and litigation. He urged the Election Commission to intervene and suspend the process until the party complies fully with internal norms and electoral transparency standards.
SAD leaders, however, dismissed Randhawa’s allegations, accusing him of acting on the instructions of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, in collaboration with the rebel Akali faction. Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema alleged that Randhawa’s move was a politically motivated attempt to disrupt the party’s functioning and prevent its resurgence.
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Cheema claimed that the rebel group, led by Gurpartap Singh Wadala and MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, had previously allied with the BJP and AAP to damage SAD, and were now aligned with the Congress.
Cheema stated that the SAD's upcoming delegate session and political conference would proceed as planned on April 12 and 13 respectively, and described the attempt to derail the elections as an act of desperation.
He defended the decision to hold the election at Teja Singh Samundari Hall, explaining it was part of the administrative block of Sri Darbar Sahib and had traditionally served as the venue for electing the party president. The SAD, he said, had secured the necessary permissions for the event in advance.
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He also criticised the Congress leadership for allegedly using Randhawa as a proxy in their bid to undermine SAD, urging them to confront the party openly rather than relying on backdoor tactics.
The SAD’s presidential election was triggered by the resignation of Sukhbir Singh Badal, who stepped down in November 2023 after being declared 'tankhaiya' by the Akal Takht for religious lapses during his tenure. His resignation was accepted in January 2024, following which the party launched a new membership drive.
As the election nears, tensions between rival factions and political opponents have intensified, with the SAD leadership asserting that the process remains legitimate and on course despite mounting criticism.
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