Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
SAD labels new Akali Dal as ‘Vakhra Chulha’ group, vows criminal action for misusing party name
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 12, 2025 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has branded the breakaway faction as the “Vakhra Chulha” group and announced plans to file a criminal complaint against its leaders for allegedly misusing the party’s registered name.
The SAD said it remains the only party recognized by the Election Commission since 1996 and accused the splinter group of trying to mislead Punjabis with false claims.
Thanking Punjabis for supporting SAD’s grassroots agitation against the AAP government’s land pooling policy, senior leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said the party had united the people to thwart Arvind Kejriwal’s alleged plan to acquire 65,000 acres of fertile land at throwaway prices. He credited party workers for leading the fight and confirmed a thanksgiving event at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on August 31 under the leadership of S. Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Dr. Cheema asserted that “100% of SAD’s elected delegates are with the party” and none from the “Vakhra Chulha” faction hold legitimate membership. He said the splinter group had not conducted a membership drive or collected the constitutionally mandated ₹10 fee, and thus had no authority to hold a delegate session in SAD’s name.
Calling the move “illegal, unconstitutional, and immoral,” Dr. Cheema said the party was consulting legal experts to initiate criminal proceedings for cheating and forgery.
He also accused the group’s leader, Giani Harpreet Singh, of defying a December 2, 2024 hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht Sahib that directed the faction to merge with the SAD.
“It is unfortunate that a former Jathedar of the Akal Takht chose to open a new shop instead of following his own directive,” Dr. Cheema remarked.He urged the media to present the factual position, stressing that S. Sukhbir Singh Badal is the sole President of the Shiromani Akali Dal.The SAD plans to formally communicate with media houses to prevent any misuse of its name in news reports or advertorials.