Punjab: S Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) has merged his party with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, in a key improvement forward of the Lok Sabha elections.
Taking to social media platform X, Sukhbir Singh Badal stated, “The Shiromani Akali Dal family has been further strengthened today with the merger of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) led by its president S Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa into the party. I thank Dhindsa Sahab for responding to my call for Panthic unity, and appeal to all Akali leaders who left the party on one pretext or another to return back to the Akali Dal fold.”
“I also thank Dhindsa Sahab for accepting my appeal and giving his consent to take on the responsibility of Patron of the SAD. I’m sure this step will go a long way in affecting complete panthic unity,” Badal added.
The improvement got here days after Dhindsa and Badal held talks to finalise the reunion.
Later, chatting with reporters, Dhindsa termed the merger as “a joint responsibility to bring Punjab back on track”, whereas Badal known as it a “merger of two families”.
Dhindsa, his son expelled from SAD in February 2020
Dhindsa and his son and former finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa had been expelled from the SAD in February 2020 for alleged anti-party actions, after which they floated the SAD (Sanyukt).
The talks for the reunion commenced in December final 12 months when Badal sought an apology for the sacrilege incidents that passed off through the Akali regime in 2015. He had then appealed to dissident Akali leaders to shun their variations to return below one flag.
The merger got here amid the excitement over the SAD-BJP reunion. The Akalis had give up the NDA in 2020 over the now-repealed farm legal guidelines.
The SAD (Sanyukt) had contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls in alliance with the BJP.
After the merger, Dhindsa stated, “There was an overwhelming feeling among our leaders and workers to merge with the SAD to effect unity in the ‘Panth’.”
The former Rajya Sabha member stated the complete party felt that Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed heartfelt regret for the circumstances of sacrilege which occurred in 2015.
“Accordingly, I called a meeting of the party’s district presidents yesterday and they gave the go ahead for the merger,” he stated.
“Present times demand that the SAD should be strong, which will make the ‘panth’ strong. Sukhbir Singh Badal is like my son,” stated Dhindsa.
“You are seeing Punjab’s situation today, the situation of law and order. It is our responsibility that we collectively raise our voice,” he stated.
“The day Sukhbir Badal apologised before Akal Takht, we formed a five-member committee and took feedback from people across Punjab and majority suggested that we should unite. I spoke with my party’s senior leaders and they authorised that whatever decision I take will be acceptable to them,” stated Dhindsa.
Earlier, SAD president Badal visited the Dhindsa’s residence right here alongside with senior leaders of the party together with these from Sangrur district.
Addressing the media at Dhindsa’s residence, Badal termed the merger as a “merger of two families”.
He additionally appealed to Dhindsa to tackle accountability as patron of the SAD since he was the senior most Akali chief after the demise of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. He stated Dhindsa, alongside with senior leaders like Balwinder Singh Bhundar, had constructed the SAD alongside with Parkash Singh Badal at “great personal cost”. He additionally assured all of the leaders of the SAD (Sanyukt) who joined the SAD of full respect and honour.
Badal additionally welcomed Dhindsa’s son Parminder Dhindsa into the party fold on the event whereas appreciating the chief’s contribution in direction of Punjab.
He additionally issued a clarion attraction to all Akali leaders who left the party on one pretext or one other, to rejoin it saying “the SAD alone is capable of safeguarding the aspirations of Punjabis”.
During this attraction, the SAD president even joined his arms and stated “I am ready to apologise to everyone”.
To a media question, Badal reiterated, “I appeal to Bibi Jagri Kaur ji with folded hands to return to the party fold.”
“If Punjab is to be saved, strengthen the SAD. Only party which can sacrifice anything for the people of Punjab,” stated Badal.
With inputs from PTI
