India

Prem Singh Chandumajra Resigns from SAD (Punar Surjit), Signals Return to Badal‑Led Party

By PTI

Prem Singh Chandumajra, an Akali leader and former MP, announced on Wednesday that he is resigning from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit). His departure is a setback for the breakaway faction led by Giani Harpreet Singh ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. Chandumajra said he is likely to return to the Sukhbir Singh Badal‑led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). In his resignation statement, he emphasized the need for all Akali and Panthic groups to unite on a common platform to protect the interests of Punjab and the Panth. He added that the response from SAD (Punar Surjit) president Giani Harpreet Singh to his appeal for Panthic unity had made him realize that their thinking, ideology and working style were not aligned. "In view of this, I have decided to part ways with Akali Dal (Punar Surjit). My commitment to safeguarding the interests of the Panth, Punjab, Punjabiat and the rights of Punjab remains as firm as ever," he said. Earlier, several leaders had also left the breakaway faction, including former minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, former Akali MLA Iqbal Singh Jhundan and Barjinder Singh Brar. Rakhra joined AAP, Ayali joined the Akali Dal Waris De and Brar returned to the Akali Dal. The breakaway SAD (Punar Surjit) was formed last year by rebel Akali leaders who opposed the leadership of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. After Chandumajra’s resignation, SAD (Punar Surjit) welcomed his decision and called for Panthic unity. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the party’s election manifesto committee, SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder said Chandumajra had decided to work for the betterment of Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiat. He urged all Panthic leaders to unite under the SAD umbrella and work together for the people of Punjab, and called on senior leaders who had left the party in the past to rejoin for the sake of the state.