SAD Opts Out of Punjab Bypolls, Citing Akal Takht’s Ruling on Sukhbir

NORTH NEWS

CHANDIGARH, OCTOBER 24

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announced on Thursday that it will not contest the upcoming bypolls for four Assembly segments in Punjab. This decision was made by the party’s core committee, following a ruling by the Akal Takht, which declared SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions taken by the party during its governance from 2007 to 2017. While addressing the press conference after the core committee meeting, SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema elaborated that the party’s choice not to participate in the bypolls stems from Sukhbir Badal’s inability to campaign or engage publicly due to the Akal Takht’s orders.