Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia lead SAD's assembly election campaign in Ludhiana West
Shiromani Akali Dal
(SAD) is charting its own path — relying squarely on regional leadership to woo voters amid growing internal tensions.
While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and BJP bring in political stars from across the country, the SAD has kept its campaign grounded with party president Sukhbir Singh Badal leading the charge. His efforts received a boost on Wednesday with the arrival of senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia, whose presence is expected to energise grassroots workers. "Sukhbir and Majithia are our star campaigners," a senior Akali member said, requesting anonymity.
"The people of Punjab know who stood with them. They remember the development under the SAD-BJP govt and hold Parkash Singh Badal in high regard."
Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal is also expected to join the campaign briefly, while senior SAD member Daljit Singh Cheema and other state leaders are canvassing actively for party candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman. Despite limited external fanfare, local leaders claim that being a regional party gives the SAD an edge in understanding and addressing ground realities.
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"Crowds at national leaders' rallies don't always translate into votes," another SAD leader said, dismissing large gatherings at AAP rallies as optics bolstered by out-of-town supporters.
However, the campaign has been marred by an escalating feud between Ghuman and Dakha legislator Manpreet Singh Ayali, both from within the SAD fold. Ghuman accused Ayali of sabotaging the party's prospects by allegedly aligning with rival parties under the guise of a membership drive.
"Ayali tried to benefit from the BJP, helped AAP, and now seeks votes for the Congress," Ghuman alleged in a recent public interview.
Ayali hit back via a social media livestream on Wednesday, urging Ghuman to focus on public issues instead of launching personal attacks. "He's targeting me more than the governing party, which is shameful," Ayali said. "He should campaign on merit, not mudsling." The public fallout has stirred unease among party loyalists, casting a shadow over SAD's strategy to project unity and reclaim lost ground in Punjab.
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