Chandigarh, 10 October 2025: The breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday named its full slate of office bearers, formally cementing its organisational structure under president Giani Harpreet Singh, who was elected to the top post on August 11. Former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, who had served as convener of the rebel group since its formation in July 2024, was appointed secretary general — the second-most powerful position in the new setup.
Wadala, who earlier led a seven-member panel that approached the Akal Takht for “course correction,” said the new list combines experience with emerging leadership. “In a couple of weeks, we will announce district and circle bodies, frontal organisations, and committees along with our action plan,” he said, adding that the appointments “reflect the unity and spirit of party workers.”
The party also nominated four patrons — Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, a descendant of Guru Nanak Dev; former Akal Takht jathedar Prof Manjit Singh; Baba Seva Singh Rampur Khera; and Ravi Inder Singh, former Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, who is related to the Badal family but has been opposed to them for decades.
According to party insiders, Giani Harpreet Singh had earlier been authorised by the delegates to constitute the organisation’s structure. Last week, he named a 41-member working committee as the central decision-making body of the party.
Eight senior vice presidents have been appointed, including former SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, former ministers Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon, and MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali.
Among the vice presidents are former MLAs Gagandeep Singh Barnala and Iqbal Singh Jhundan — who chaired the panel for party course correction — as well as Surinder Singh Bhullewal Rathan and SGPC member Bhai Manjit Singh.
Two prominent Hindu leaders, former MLA Babu Prakash Chand Garg and Kapoor Chand Bansal, have been included as president and secretary of the party’s trade wing, respectively.
Other key office bearers include:
Vice Presidents: Santa Singh Umaidpur, former minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Sarbjit Singh Doomwali, Mahinder Singh Husainpur, Jarnail Singh Kartarpur, former MP Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, and Mahinderpal Singh Banaka.
General Secretaries: Former MLAs Barjinder Singh Brar and Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Charanjit Singh Brar, Jasvir Singh Ghumman, Gurjeet Singh Talwandi, Yuvraj Singh, and Bharpoor Singh Dhandra.
Organisational Secretaries: Giani Mohinder Singh (Himachal Pradesh), SGPC member Satvinder Singh Tohra, former MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, Davinder Singh Sekhon, Karan Singh (DTO), and Ajepal Singh Meerankota.
Party insiders said the appointments reflect an effort to consolidate the faction’s organisational reach ahead of the next electoral season while projecting itself as the “true inheritor” of the Akali legacy, distinct from the Badal-led parent organisation.
