Talks between Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet), which had begun around a month ago with the aim of building an alliance, formally collapsed on May 17 after several rounds of meetings.
When the discussions started, leaders from both sides claimed that their larger concern was to protect Punjab’s regional political party tradition, referring mainly to the Akali Dal legacy in the state. Concern over the weakening of regional politics in Punjab is not limited to these two groups alone.
Leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Shiromani Akali Dal have also repeatedly raised similar concerns. Even some Congress and BJP leaders, in their speeches, have argued that Punjab requires a strong Akali Dal to protect the state’s interests.
Sucha Singh Chhotepur, senior leader of Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet), said the collapse of talks with Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) had not discouraged his group. He maintained that efforts to bring different Panthic factions onto one platform would continue.
However, the “Panthic unity” campaign of Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) excludes the party led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. The group largely considers only anti-Badal Akali factions as part of the Panthic bloc it seeks to unite.
Most leaders of Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) were once senior or second-rung leaders in the Shiromani Akali Dal during the governments led by Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal between 2007 and 2017.
After the party lost power, many gradually parted ways with Sukhbir Badal. Political observers say that several of these leaders built their political careers within the Badal-led Akali structure and had limited experience succeeding independently in politics.
As a result, Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) has struggled with internal divisions since its formation. Separate camps emerged around former Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and senior leader Manpreet Singh Ayali.
In recent months, several leaders have either joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or returned to the Shiromani Akali Dal. There is also speculation that some leaders of Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) may individually join Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) or AAP in the coming days.
Political analysts describe Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) as a fringe group with little independent identity. The group’s politics have largely revolved around opposing the Badal-led Akali Dal.
However, with the Shiromani Akali Dal itself out of power for nearly a decade, anti-Badal politics alone are no longer seen as sufficient to attract broad public support.
Political commentator and author Amandeep Singh Gill, who wrote a book titled ‘Non-Congress Politics in Punjab’, stated that historically, the “real” Panthic Akali Dal has usually been the faction controlling the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. According to Gill, the Akali Dal has repeatedly witnessed splits encouraged by competing political forces.
He pointed to historical examples in which rival Akali factions emerged with support from the Centre, recalling how Jawaharlal Nehru backed Sant Fateh Singh during the conflict with Master Tara Singh.
Gill said that attempts to divide or weaken the Akali Dal have been a recurring feature of Punjab politics, and that the narrative of “saving Punjab’s regional party” emerged from this history.
According to Gill, fears surrounding the decline of the Akali Dal are not new. He said that appeals to save the party and protect Punjab’s regional political identity have long been used to mobilise voters. Despite its century-old history, the Akali Dal has spent relatively little time in power.
Before 1997, no Akali-led government in Punjab had completed a full five-year term. Yet, Gill noted, the party survived through continuous political struggle and repeatedly reinvented itself.
Gill further stated that when the Akali Dal speaks about protecting regional politics while being out of power, the issue is not merely emotional but also practical. In his view, the weakening of a strong regional party affects the country’s federal structure.
He believes Punjab ideologically requires a strong regional political force, particularly because Sikh political identity has historically remained closely linked with regional representation and Panthic politics.
