Badal family compromised on agenda, stood silent as BJP took anti-SAD decisions: Sekhwan

BJP leader Anil Joshi, meanwhile, said: "Akali Dal has taken this decision in a hurry and it would not affect BJP in Punjab. In fact, it would be beneficial for us."

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Sekhwan (centre) also clarified, "Do not believe the rumours that we would replace Badals for alliance with BJP. We will never go with BJP." (File)

THE SAD-BJP alliance was seen as an inorganic composition from very first day by many in political circles, and former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra was the first to object this alleged political arrangement between rural and urban Punjab.

Former minister in SAD-BJP government Seva Singh Sekhwan, who left SAD in 2018 and now is with the Shiromani Akali Dal formed by Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, said, “The long alliance with BJP and RSS has already defeated the core agenda of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). What Akali Dal stood for was federal structure of the country and decentralisation of powers. But Badal family compromised this agenda, which was essence of the Anandpur Sahib resolution, to remain with BJP. One after another, Modi government made decisions which were against the federal structure of the country and at the same time these decisions were making the Centre more and more powerful.

Badal family saw all these anti-SAD decisions being taken silently. They even participated in such decisions. Badals were so comfortable with BJP that they even defended farm Bills from their heart. They wake up from deep slumber only when people pushed them to a corner. They have come out of alliance to save face. Akali Dal was forced to come out of alliance by people only but it was too late for the the core agenda of Akali Dal.”

Sekhwan also clarified, “Do not believe the rumours that we would replace Badals for alliance with BJP. We will never go with BJP.”

Another former minister in SAD-BJP government, Anil Joshi, was among a few of the state BJP leaders who would openly speak against SAD. “Akali Dal has taken this decision in a hurry and it would not affect BJP in Punjab. In fact, it would be beneficial for us. Earlier our cadre would not do much work in the rural areas because they knew that ultimately SAD would contest from any rural constituency. But now our worker is excited and they would work in rural areas too,” he said.

“We had huge pressure to quit the alliance in 2016 when there were many issues against the SAD. There was anti-incumbency and we also had to bear it. But we stood by alliance in those difficult times. So blame of breaking the the alliance is not on us,” he added.

Some Akali leaders claimed that the breaking of the alliance could create a division of votes between Congress and BJP.

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“It is a false allegation that RSS had any say in any Panthic decision taken when we were in alliance with BJP. No Sikh should take any notice of RSS. No Sikh should fear RSS. We have snapped ties with BJP due to ideological differences over farm Bills. It is true that BJP never made serious attempt to enter our rural constituencies and we never made any attempt to enter their urban constituencies. But now SAD will benefit from the division of votes between Congress and BJP,” said SAD spokesman Virsa Singh Valtoha.

BJP contested two parliament seats in Majha and on both seats, Amritsar and Gurdaspur, the SAD vote bank is crucial. It would be a challenge for BJP to fight back on urban Assembly constituencies in Majha without SAD.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)