Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), English Supreme Akali Party, also called Akali Dal, regional political party in Punjab state, northwestern India. It is the principal advocacy organization of the large Sikh community in the state and is centred on the philosophy of promoting the well-being of the country’s Sikh population by providing them with a political as well as a religious platform. Shiromani Akali Dal, established on 14 December 1920, is the oldest regional democratic party of the country and the ruling party of Punjab.
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.The Akali Dal reached its zenith of success under Master Tara Singh. After India achieved its independence, the SAD participated in the Punjabi Suba Movement, which was headed by Sant Fateh Singh. The Akalis demanded carving out a state out of undivided East Punjab, comprising majority Punjabi-speaking people of the region. The protests were so intense that the Indian government agreed to the demand for the re-organization of the boundaries of the erstwhile East Punjab. In 1966, the present state of Punjab was formed, with the Akali Dal coming to power. But the government did not last long due to factionalism within the SAD.
The current Punjab government is formed by Akali Dal in partnership with its regional and national ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It has 59 members in Punjab Legislative Assembly and combined with 12 of BJP, forms a majority government. Akali Dal has absolute majority since 2015.Party patron and ex-president Parkash Singh Badal is the Chief Minister of Punjab and the party president Sukhbir Singh Badal is deputy-chief minister. The party has 4 members in the Lok Sabha. Party's main political opponent is Indian National Congress. In the recent Delhi Assembly elections it did not retain the one seat it held in 2013 elections.
The party’s total was reduced to four seats in both the 2009 and 2014 elections. For many years the party remained unaligned with any of the national parties, but in 1998 it joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance coalition that ruled the country from 1998 to 2004. During that time the SAD was able to exert some influence on policy at the national level, especially with regard to India’s relations with Pakistan, with which Punjab shared a long international border. However in his fight for Punjab, he is facing obstacles and problems by insecure self promoting people. He has big dreams for Punjab!!! Let us support him in his fight for Punjab!!!
The Election Symbol of the Shiromani Akali Dal is the scales. The scales symbol is shown as being equal on both sides. This is usually drawn on a bluish-black rectangular flag of the party. This symbol is famously used in a court room scene, being carried by Lady Justice whose eyes remain bandaged with a black ribbon.
Address and Contact details
Official Website of SAD: http://www.shiromaniakalidal.org.in
Head-Office Address of SAD: Block No. 6, Madhya Marg, Sector 28, Chandigarh, Punjab
Email: [email protected]