A breakaway group within the Shiromani Akali Dal has appointed Giani Harpreet Singh, the former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, as its president. This faction intends to petition the Election Commission of India to gain control of the party.
The division arose after Sukhbir Badal was declared ‘tankhaiya’ by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Following this, a five-member committee was formed to facilitate a new membership drive and select the next party president. However, the Shiromani Akali Dal chose to ignore the committee’s directives, proceeded with their own membership drive, and declared Sukhbir Badal as the party president.