Sukhbir Singh Badal has been re-elected president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister heads the century-old party when it faces its worst crisis yet and strives to regain its footing in state politics. Badal talks to Harpreet Bajwa about his challenges and what went wrong with his party’s relations with the BJP. Excerpts:
Former Deputy CM and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal is back in the saddle. Has he weathered all storms? Were the last few months tough-going?
SAD and its leadership are known for their struggles for the public good. We have always worked for the welfare of the kisan, mazdoor and weaker sections. The last six months, which you describe as a tough phase for the SAD, came about due to a conspiracy to take control of our religious shrines, ideology and institutions. The recent political conference on Baisakhi (April 13), which witnessed a record turnout, can be described as a mass awakening in
this context. Punjabis have decided to stand up against outside forces who want to weaken the SAD, and I'm confident we will get stronger by the day.
You gave party supporters a clarion call to prepare to return the SAD to power in the 2027 Assembly elections. How do you plan to go about it?
There is a groundswell of public support for the SAD based on its past record of speedy development, unique social welfare schemes and its ability to maintain peace and communal harmony when in government. It has a track record of fulfilling its promises and even going beyond them.
Simultaneously, Punjabis are determined to see the back of the Aam Aadmi Party, which has betrayed them. They also don't want a return to the days of corruption and mismanagement of the Congress party.
Where does the party stand today? Has the rival faction, which parted ways with you, impacted your popularity in the Sikh community?
The SAD is on an upswing. The party’s recent organisational elections witnessed a record 27 lakh people enrolling as members. Punjabis are immensely enthused about strengthening their regional party. This indicates that the Sikh Panth has understood that the leaders who left the SAD to form their faction (Sudhar Lehar) are tools of the central government. They have lost all credibility. People will reject such attempts to divide the Sikh community and Punjabis at large and will unite under the SAD. I also appeal to those who are Akali at heart to rejoin it. This is in the best interests of Punjab and Punjabiyat.
After becoming party chief, you alleged that your former ally, the BJP, and certain Sikh institutions conspired to damage the SAD. Elaborate.
It is unfortunate but true that the BJP turned against not only the SAD but the Sikh community also once we left the NDA alliance in support of farmers protesting the three black laws. Since then, efforts are on to weaken and take over Sikh institutions. The management committees of Sri Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib were expanded to bring them under government control.
The BJP captured the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee by
alluring the office bearers. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was broken and a separate committee was formed for Haryana. There was undue interference in the SGPC elections to help central government’s stooges.
You have alleged that former Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh along with others acted under the BJP’s influence to find you guilty of religious misconduct during the SAD-led government's rule from 2007 to 2017. Explain how.
The very fact that Giani Harpreet Singh did not want to take any decision to strengthen the Panth and focussed on weakening the SAD and its top
leadership after holding meetings with the BJP top brass is proof of this. A
complaint was obtained from opportunist Akali leaders, who were playing into the BJP’s hands, to strike at the accepted SAD leadership.
Do you foresee a future alliance with the BJP as all parties get their act together for the 2027 Assembly elections?
We are not thinking along these lines and are strengthening the SAD to
take everyone along with us. Also, I feel that an alliance, if any, should be
based on principles. The SAD is firm on this. We cannot compromise our principles and our ideology at any cost. We stand for the rights of farmers, minorities and Bandi Singhs even as we want to safeguard our river waters as well as our rights over Chandigarh. We want trade along the Indo-Pak border to be reopened.
Earlier, when in alliance with the BJP, the SAD was known for safeguarding the interests of Punjab and Punjabis. We left the alliance only when we
realised the BJP-led central government was not sincere in resolving the issues of agitating farmers.
How do you rate the performance of the AAP-led Punjab Government in the last three years?
Even zero does not describe how far back AAP has taken Punjab. Every section of society has been betrayed. Trade and industry are exiting the state, fed up by the culture of extortion. The law and order situation is at its lowest ebb with gangster culture, grenade attacks and bomb blasts becoming the order of the day. The state's financial health has been ruined. Punjab has accumulated a debt of ₹3.77 lakh crore. Public funds are being diverted to spread the wings of AAP in other states. There is no development even as thousands of crores are being spent on advertisements. Publicity stunts like laying plaques to commemorate the repair of walls and toilets have become the order of the day.
Your father and among Punjab’s tallest leaders, Parkash Singh Badal, had secular credentials. How are you going to perpetuate his legacy?
The SAD has always stood for secularism. Sardar Parkash Singh Badal was known for taking everyone along with him. The SAD is committed to safeguarding the rights of minorities, and this is why we have opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The SAD is continuing on the path shown by Badal Saheb. We stand for 'sarbat da bhala' and believe the government stands for all people, not just one section. We have given our blood to safeguard Punjab and will continue to do so.
Where does the party stand for today? Has the rival faction, which parted ways, impacted your popularity among Sikhs?
The SAD is on an upswing. The party’s recent organisational elections witnessed a record 27 lakh people enrolling as members. This indicates that the Sikh Panth has understood that the leaders who left the SAD to form their faction (Sudhar Lehar) are tools of the Centre. They have lost all credibility. People will reject any attempts to divide the Sikh community and Punjabis at large and will unite under the SAD.
After becoming party chief, you alleged that your former ally, the BJP, and certain Sikh institutions conspired against the SAD. Elaborate.
It is unfortunate but true; the BJP turned against not only the SAD but the Sikh community also once we left the NDA in support of farmers protesting the three black laws. Since then, efforts are on to weaken and take over Sikh institutions. The management committees of Sri Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib were expanded to bring them under government control.
The BJP captured the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee by alluring office bearers. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was broken and a separate committee was formed for Haryana. There was undue interference in SGPC elections to help stooges of the Centre.
Do you foresee a future alliance with the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections?
We are not thinking along these lines and are strengthening the SAD to take everyone along with us. Also, I feel that an alliance, if any, should be based on principles. The SAD is firm on this. We cannot compromise our principles and our ideology at any cost. We stand for the rights of farmers, minorities and Bandi Singhs even as we want to safeguard our river waters and our rights over Chandigarh. We want trade along the Indo-Pak border to reopen.