Akali Dal accepts Badal's resignation as party head

The working committee of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday accepted the resignation of Sukhbir Singh Badal as party president, marking the first time since 1993 that the party will not be helmed by the Badal family. Badal had tendered his resignation on November 16.

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

Balwinder Singh Bhundar, the party's second most senior leader who has been serving as working president since Badal's resignation, will continue in the role until a new leadership structure is formed.

The development comes after the Akal Takht—the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs—pronounced tankah (religious punishment) on Badal on December 2 last year for atonement of mistakes committed during the SAD-BJP government's tenure from 2007-12 and 2012-17.

The Akal Takht had directed the SAD working committee to accept Badal's resignation and initiate party reorganisation within six months through a membership drive and election of office bearers.

"I have performed sewa for five years as party president after getting re-elected in 2019 and I thank the party workers and cadres for supporting me in the difficult times. I had resigned from the president's post in November ahead of submitting myself before the Akal Takht Sahib as a humble Sikh," Badal told media after the working committee meeting.