No Badal at SAD helm for first time in 30+ years as Sukhbir Singh Badal quits

Over two months after Akal Takht - the highest temporal seat of Sikhs - declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya', or guilty of religious misconduct, he sent his resignation to the party's working committee on Saturday.

Badal, 62, has stepped down ahead of the election for the post of party president, office-bearers and members of the working committee, due on Dec 14.

This is the first time in more than three decades that SAD would not have a Badal at the helm.

SAD to discuss resignation at meet tomorrow

Though late Parkash Singh Badal remained CM twice till 1980, he was not party chief during the period. SAD functionary Daljit Singh Cheema said Sukhbir Singh Badal has stepped down to pave way for new president. The party's working president, Balwinder Singh Bhunder, has called a working committee's meeting on Nov 18 to consider Badal's resignation. A day before being declared 'tankhaiya', Sukhbir had appointed Bhunder as party's working president.

While some view the move as attempt to reclaim credibility, others see it as a response to pressure from Sikh high priests and internal dissent.