Sukhbir Singh Badal Resigns as Shiromani Akali Dal President Amid Religious Misconduct Allegations

Chandigarh: Sukhbir Singh Bal, who h been declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by Akal Takht, tendered his resignation as Shiromani Akali Dal president, said senior party leer Daljit Singh Cheema on Saturday.

His resignation paves way for election of new party chief. Bal submitted his resignation to party’s working committee, said Cheema.

“ S President Sukhbir Singh Bal submitted his resignation to working Committee of party today to pave way for election of a new President. He thanked all party leers & workers for expressing confidence in his leership and extending wholehearted support & cooperation throughout tenure,” said Cheema in a post on X.

On Shiromani Akali Dal (S) President Sukhbir Singh Bal's resignation from party president, S leer Daljit Singh Cheema said, "S is a democratic party and according to party's constitution re are elections for post of president after every 5  years. Our last election was held on 14th December 2019. Next month, we are going to complete 5 years on 14th December. So, it is a democratic process that President has just resigned. On 18th November, we have a meeting of working committee with party he. It will consider resignation and will also release detailed program of election...Anyone can contest election, final decision has to be taken in house, whoever has majority is selected as president."

Bal’s resignation came days after he urged Akal Takht Jadar to pronounce his punishment for religious misconduct charges, saying more than two months have passed since he was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct).

On August 30, Akal Takht Jadar Giani Raghbir Singh declared Bal 'tankhaiya' for "mistakes" committed by S and its government from 2007 to 2017.

jadar is yet to pronounce 'tankhah' (religious punishment) for Bal.

After Bal failed to get any temporary relief from Akal Takht, S announced on October 24 that it would not contest bypolls.

On July 1, rebel S leers, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, appeared before Akal Takht and sought forgiveness for "mistakes" committed by party's government between 2007 and 2017.