Akal Takht Panel to Begin SAD Membership Drive on March 4: Gurpartap Singh Wadala

• Mar 3, 2025

Rebel Akali leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala announced on Sunday that the Akal Takht-constituted panel, overseeing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) overhaul, will convene on March 4 to initiate a membership drive for the party.

Efforts to reach SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema for comments were unsuccessful.

Wadala’s statement comes a day after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh instructed the five remaining panel members to move forward with the membership drive. Earlier, two committee members—Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami and SAD leader Kirpal Singh Badunghar—had resigned, though their resignations have yet to be accepted.

SAD has rejected the Akal Takht-formed panel, which was established after the December 2 edict that led to Sukhbir Singh Badal stepping down as party chief. The directive was issued following his religious punishment for "mistakes" committed during SAD’s decade-long rule from 2007-2017. Meanwhile, SAD had already launched its own membership campaign on January 20, creating a deadlock over the matter.

Wadala: All Panel Members United on Decision

Addressing the issue, Wadala asserted that the five remaining members of the committee were united in their commitment to upholding the December 2 decree issued by the Akal Takht.

Welcoming Giani Raghbir Singh’s clear directives, Wadala revealed that on March 4, the panel members would first visit the Akal Takht to express gratitude and seek guidance for the next steps.

“We will perform ardas at the Akal Takht on March 4. Following that, we will meet to outline the programme for conducting the SAD membership drive,” he stated.

Regarding Dhami’s resignation, Wadala expressed hope for his return. “If Dhami Sahib decides to reconsider his decision and rejoin, we would be pleased to have him lead us,” he added.