SAD Launches Month-Long Membership Drive to Enroll

Chandigarh : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) launched a month-long membership drive from Lambi Assembly constituency, defying the Akal Takht’s directive to appoint a seven-member panel for the process. The party’s Parliamentary Board, the highest decision-making body, appointed Gulzar Singh Ranike to oversee the drive, ahead of the organizational elections on March 1. SAD also endorsed Ranike as the Chief Election Officer for these polls.However, rebel Akali leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala criticized the drive as “ethically and morally incorrect,” claiming the party disregarded the Akal Takht-constituted committee’s sanctity. Wadala met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who both supported the Akal Takht panel’s authority over the membership process.

The controversy erupted after SAD rejected the Akal Takht’s panel, which had demanded a six-month membership drive to restructure the party, as well as Sukhbir Singh Badal’s resignation as party president. Despite the Akal Takht’s decree, the SAD working committee accepted Badal’s resignation on January 10 but continued with its own membership campaign.

Sukhbir Singh Badal inaugurated the drive in Badal village by renewing his membership for five years, submitting a Rs 10 fee. The party aims to enroll 50 lakh members, double its current membership, with delegates electing party officials on March 1.

Sikh organizations, including the Panthic Talmel Sangathan, have called on the Akal Takht Jathedar to intervene, arguing that the SAD leadership is challenging the Takht’s authority.