Wed Dec 04 17:37:04 UTC 2024: ## Former Punjab Chief Minister Survives Assassination Attempt Amidst Party’s Crisis

AMRITSAR, PUNJAB—Sukhbir Singh Badal, the 62-year-old former president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), escaped an assassination attempt on Wednesday at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The shooter, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant with links to the now-defunct Khalistan Liberation Army, is in custody. The incident comes amidst a period of significant decline for the SAD and widespread discontent directed at Badal.

Once a powerful regional party instrumental in Punjab’s post-militancy peace process, the SAD suffered a crushing defeat in the 2017 and 2022 state assembly elections, winning only 15 and 3 seats respectively. The party’s downfall is attributed to various factors including allegations of corruption against Badal, the 2015 sacrilege incidents, drug abuse, unemployment, and an agrarian crisis.

Following the 2022 election debacle, an internal committee blamed Badal for the party’s poor performance, leading to calls for his resignation. The SAD’s struggles continued in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where they won only one seat. Last month, a group of rebel SAD members petitioned the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh religious authority, accusing Badal of various wrongdoings.

On Monday, the Akal Takht issued a verdict declaring the SAD unfit to govern Punjab and imposed religious penalties on Badal and former ministers. The Akal Takht also ordered the party to reorganize through a membership drive and internal elections. While some see this as an opportunity for Badal to rebuild his image, others view it as a superficial attempt to address the deep-seated resentment against him.

The assassination attempt has revived fears of resurgent militancy in Punjab. The decline of the SAD, historically a moderating force in Sikh politics, has coincided with the rise of radical figures. The Akal Takht’s intervention in party affairs also raises concerns about a potential return to a hardline panthic agenda, which could alienate the party’s diverse voter base. However, some believe that a revived democratic process within the SAD could lead to its regrouping and a return to its moderate stance. The upcoming SAD organizational elections will determine whether Badal retains his leadership.

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