The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has been out of government in Punjab for almost ten years, leaving the party in a precarious position as it confronts a changing electoral landscape. The urgency has intensified after Amritpal Singh, once an elected MP, lost his parliamentary seat, removing a key rival from the formal political arena.
In a recent public statement, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal delivered a pointed jibe at Amritpal, framing the comment as a warning that the party intends to contest the Panthic vote – the core Sikh electorate that has traditionally underpinned SAD’s support base. The remark underscores an emerging rivalry for the loyalty of Sikh voters ahead of the upcoming polls.
With the Punjab assembly election scheduled for next year, SAD is mobilising its organisational machinery, scouting candidates and planning outreach programmes aimed at recapturing the Panthic vote. Party officials say the strategy will combine grassroots rallies, community dialogues and targeted messaging to re‑establish SAD’s relevance among Sikh constituencies.
