Shiromani Akali Dal

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Punjabi: ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ translation: Supreme Akali Party) is a Sikhism-centric political party in India. There are a large number of parties with the name "Shiromani Akali Dal". The party recognized as "Shiromani Akali Dal" by the Election Commission of India is the one led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. It controls Sikh religious bodies Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and is the largest and most influential Sikh political party worldwide. The basic philosophy of Akali Dal is to give political voice to Sikh issues and it believes that religion and politics go hand in hand.

History

Akali Dal was formed on December 14, 1920 as a task force of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the Sikh religious body. The Akali Dal considers itself the principal representative of Sikhs. Sardar Sarmukh Singh Chubbal was the first president of a unified proper Akali Dal, but it became popular under Master Tara Singh. The party launched the Punjabi Suba movement, demanding a state with majority of Punjabi speaking people, out of undivided East Punjab under the leadership of Sant Fateh Singh. In 1966, the present Punjab was formed. Akali Dal came to power in the new Punjab, but early governments didn't live long due to internal conflicts and power struggles within the party. Later, party strengthened and party governments completed full term.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), registered with the Election Commission of India as Shiromani Akali Dal (Simranjit Singh Mann), is a splinter group, led by Simranjit Singh Mann, of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Akali Dal Amritsar was formed on 1 May 1994 at Shri Akal Takht (highest temporal seat of Sikhs), a six-member committee of Simranjit Singh Mann, Capt. Amarinder Singh, Retd col. Jasmer Singh bala, Bhai Manjit singh, Surjit Singh Barnala and Jagdev singh Talwandi was constituted to build up the structure of new party. Later on Simranjit singh Mann was elected the president of Akali Dal Amritsar unanimously.

Electoral success

Its biggest success was in the 1989 Parliamentary elections, when it won 7 out the 13 seats in Punjab. They represent the ethos which fear the submersion of the Sikh identity into majority Hindu India. The party also won 1 parliamentary seat of Sangrur in 1999 out of the total share of 13 seats in Punjab's kitty. Following that the party has not fared well in the last two elections held in Punjab.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic)

Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic), a splinter group of the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal. SAD(D) was formed in 1996. Party president was Kuldip Singh Wadala.

SAD(D) joined the Punjab Loktantrik Morcha together with Marxist Communist Party of India, Samajwadi Party, Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya), Janata Dal (Secular), Republican Party of India and Punjab Milkman Union.

Ahead of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections SAD(D) merged with the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal.

Akali Dal (1920)

The Shiromani Akali Dal (1920) is a political party in India led by former Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Ravi Inder Singh.

See also

References