Latest news with #Jathdear

Indian Express

Riding high on sentiment, new SAD faction lacks resources, poll machinery

A new faction of Shiromani Akali Dal came into existence Monday. In the past, many Akali leaders broke away from SAD and floated their own outfits, however, almost all failed. The new faction, which former Jathdear Giani Harpreet Singh claimed was the real Shiromani Akali Dal', however, has emerged when the the Panthic party has hit rock bottom. The SAD could win only three seats in 2022, and only one MLA is left with the party, as the other two have already resigned. Still, it won't be easy for the new faction to establish itself. Old leaders in new factions The new faction has many old faces such as MLA Manpreet Singh Akali, former minister Sukrita Singh Rakhra, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and others who broke away from the Shiromani Akali Dal. These leaders also share a negative perception for the alleged acts of the party government from 2007 to 2017, for which Sukhbir Singh Badal apologised at the Akal Takht on December 2, 2024. In the new faction, however, they have the advantage of claiming that they submitted to the edict of the Akal Takht and have distanced themselves from the Badal family. These leaders faced criticism for outsourcing their political job to Badal when they were in SAD. They toed the political line of Badal for more than a decade with little contribution. They also had little coordination with each other. So now, these leaders will not only have to chalk out their political plans but also coordinate with each other. Some fumbles were witnessed in the coordination as the internal discussion on the names of Giani Harpreet Singh and Satwant Kaur spilled out in public, quickly raising questions over the unity of the faction. So far, the only factor that has kept these leaders together is their opposition to Badal. But they will need more than a political rival to stay together. Have the sentiments but lack election machinery The new faction's president, Giani Harpreet Singh , and Panthic Council chairperson, Satwant Kaur, have emerged as good orators who understand the sentiment of the Sikh masses. This is where the SAD lacks. However, SAD has the resources and the election machinery that the new faction doesn't have. Badal is known for his management skills. The new faction would depend upon Giani Harpreet Singh and Satwant Kaur to connect with the masses to cover up for the lack of networking. Alliance Former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala said that the new faction was open for negotiations with other SAD factions for an alliance. However, the biggest challenge would be how the new faction deals with Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), which has a Member of Parliament in Amritpal Singh. Both sides have been in touch; however, it would not be easy for either side to form an alliance, as both would be claiming the same political ground. Apart from the SAD factions, some of the new faction's leaders have also been interested in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. SAD is also looking for the same. However, this aspiration could also backfire or create cracks in the new faction. Tarn Taran byelection The Tarn Taran Assembly byelection is around the corner, and it would be the litmus test for both SAD and the new faction. The first challenge for the new faction would be to decide if it wants an alliance for the election with Akali Dal (WPD) or not. The SAD faction's leaders who take the lead in the Tarn Taran bypoll will have an edge for the 2027 Assembly elections.