Shiromani Akali Dal not to contest bypolls in Punjab 

Daljeet Singh Cheema, Spokesperson, SAD, told media persons, “After Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar yesterday (Wednesday) said that Sukhbir Singh Badal cannot take part in any political activity till he completes tankha (punishment) we decided to not contest the polls.”

Notably, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared a tankhaiya (a person guilty of violating Sikh religious code of conduct) on August 30 by the Akal Takht for ‘mistakes’ committed during the SAD-BJP rule from 2007-2017. The Jathedar had also stated that a meeting in connection to Sukhbir Singh Badal’s tankha would be called after Diwali.

“The decisions taken by our party president during the SAD-BJP tenure were on behalf of the party and hence we have decided to stand by our president at this time. Though the Akal Takht Sahib’s directive is only for Pradhan Sahib (Sukhbir Singh Badal), the entire party stands with our president as the party can’t contest the bypolls without the president,” Cheema further said.

He indicated that many contenders were keen to contest the bypolls and had been working in their constituencies as well but the working committee took a unanimous decision to not contest the bypolls.

Bypolls have been announced for the Gidderbaha, Barnala, Chabbewal, and Dera Baba Nanak Assembly seats that were vacated after their sitting MLAs won the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year.

The last date for filing nomination is Friday while polling will be conducted in all four seats on November 13.