Chandigarh: Sikh electoral politics in Punjab appears to be on a path of deepening fragmentation, with multiple factions positioning themselves ahead of future political contests.
SAD (Badal) Split Formalizes After Akal Takht Directives
The split within the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has taken a formal, organizational form following the 2 December 2024 directives from Akal Takht Sahib, which called upon the two factions to unite.
One of the five Singh Sahibs who issued those directives, Giani Harpreet Singh, is now himself in contention for the presidency of the non-Sukhbir Badal group. This faction will hold its delegates’ conference on 11 August in Amritsar.
Leadership Selection Process and Social Media Buzz
On 8 August, Giani Harpreet Singh posted on social media that he had learned his name was being considered alongside Bibi Satwant Kaur—daughter of the late Bhai Amrik Singh—for the post of president. He wrote that he held Bibi Satwant Kaur in such high regard that he did not wish his name to be considered against hers.
This statement was widely interpreted as a tactical move to pave the way for his unanimous selection.
On 9 August, some of his supporters claimed on social media that consensus had been reached on his name, following Bibi Satwant Kaur’s withdrawal. However, no official announcement has been made, and such confirmation is unlikely before the 11 August conference.
Formation of “Akali Dal Waris Punjab De”
In a separate development, a new faction named Akali Dal Waris Punjab De has been formed by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh, with Amritpal Singh’s family members and close supporters taking the lead role. Amritpal Singh is detained at Central Jail Dibrugarh (Assam) under the NSA.
Before his detention under the NSA, Amritpal Singh had publicly maintained there was no need for a new party, citing the existence of Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Mann) led by former MP Simranjit Singh Mann.
Two Groups Have Taken Their Own Paths
The two groups—Akali Dal Waris Punjab De and SADA (Mann)—have now taken their own political paths, a trend that became more evident on 9 August when they held separate conferences at Baba Bakala.
Eye on Punjab Assembly Elections 2027, SGPC Elections Take Backseat
All factions are expected to focus on the Punjab State Assembly elections due in 2027. Amritpal Singh’s faction has already begun projecting him as its Chief Ministerial candidate for that contest.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections are likely to recede into the background, at least temporarily, as the tenure of Gurdwara Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) S. S. Saron has ended.
Likely Four-Way Contest for Sikh Vote Share
The current trajectory points towards a four-way contest among SAD (Badal), SADA (Mann), Akali Dal Waris Punjab De and a new party to be announced on 11 August by the SAD (Badal) splinter group along with others.
However, the Sikh electoral vote in Punjab is no longer a monolithic bloc, with sections of the community also aligning with other state and national parties.
