A real leadership test for SAD chief in new innings

THE ROAD AHEAD REMAINS FRAUGHT WITH SERIOUS CHALLENGES FOR SUKHBIR AS THE PARTY IS GRAPPLING WITH INTERNAL SPLITS, DECLINING INFLUENCE AND PUBLIC DISILLUSIONMENT

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

CHANDIGARH: Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was re-elected as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after a gap of about five months, faces an uphill task — not only to revive his own political standing but to restore relevance to a party once considered the voice of Punjab's Sikhs and farmers.

Though he was unanimously re-elected by 522 party delegates on Saturday and addressed a political rally as a "show of strength" at Talwandi Sabo on Sunday, the road ahead remains fraught with serious challenges. The SAD is grappling with internal splits, declining influence and public disillusionment. A faction in the party is undertaking a parallel membership drive, complicating the landscape for Sukhbir. Here are some key challenges confronting Sukhbir.