Akali Dal expels eight rebels; they say ‘party has become Badals fiefdom’

Shiromani Akali Dal expels rebel leaders for anti-party activities, sparking accusations of personal interests over party's.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) expelled eight rebel leaders from the party’s primary membership on July 30. The reason provided was their involvement in anti-party activities.

The senior rebel leaders have been targeting SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and accusing him of “compromising with the Panth’s (Sikh community) sentiments for political gain and not representing the sentiments of the community.”

The expulsion ordered by the party’s disciplinary committee comes into effect immediately, according to a party statement.

The eight who have been expelled are: ex-MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, ex-SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, and former ministers Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Sikander Singh Maluka, and Surjit Singh Rakhra. Besides these, Surinder Singh Thekedar and Charanjit Singh Brar have also been shown the door.

Mr. Chandumajra told The Hindu that the Shiromani Akali Dal has been reduced to the “personal fiefdom of the Badals.” “It has been proven that personal interests are being elevated above the party’s interests. We will soon decide on the next course of action,” he said.

SAD leader Balwinder Bhundur, who chaired the disciplinary committee meeting, said the eight leaders had actively colluded with the party’s enemies to create divisions in the party and weaken it. “It was also felt that these leaders have willfully damaged the image of the party as part of a wider conspiracy,” he said, adding that the decision to expel the leaders had been taken after careful consideration.

“They were given ample opportunity to discuss their issues in the party forum. The working committee meeting of June 26 also, through a resolution appealed to them to discuss their misgivings at the party forum, but they refused,” he added.