Rebel leader Sikander Singh Maluka rejoins Shiromani Akali Dal
Exactly a year after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) removed its former Cabinet Minister Sikander Singh Maluka as the head of its disciplinary committee, he was re-inducted into the party fold today by SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Maluka, once a close aide of the Badals, served as SAD’s Bathinda district president for 28 years.
His daughter-in-law, Parampal Kaur Sidhu, a former IAS officer, had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election from Bathinda last year as a BJP nominee against Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Maluka’s son, Gurpreet Singh, is a former chairman of the Bathinda Zila Parishad.
At that time, Maluka had commented that he had tried to stop his son Gurpreet Singh Maluka and daughter-in-law from joining the BJP, but in vain. In April last year, he was removed from the post of SAD’s Maur Assembly constituency in-charge. The party had replaced him with another former Cabinet Minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon.
After developing differences with the Sukhbir-led SAD, he joined the ‘Sudhar Lehar’ and became a party rebel. In December last year, Sudhar Lehar was dissolved on the directions of the then Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh.
Speculations had been rife over the past few days that he would soon rejoin the SAD. He was also seen sitting with Sukhbir Singh Badal and other SAD leaders at the recently held bhog ceremony of former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa in Sangrur.
Today, Sukhbir Singh Badal posted on X: “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome veteran Akali leader S. Sikandar Singh Maluka back to the Shiromani Akali Dal. Maluka Sahab has significantly contributed to strengthening the party under the leadership of S. Parkash Singh Ji Badal. His return will further strengthen the party, and he will immediately join the party’s campaign in the Ludhiana West Assembly constituency. With the support of the people of Punjab, @Akali_Dal_ is growing stronger with each passing day. I urge all Punjabis to come together to strengthen Punjab’s only regional party for the peace and development of the state.”
Born an Akali, will die an Akali too, says Maluka
While talking to The Tribune, Maluka said, “I had not left the party, but they expelled me and some others. Now, I have come back to my party. I had already told my son and daughter-in-law that I would go back to the SAD, and they had no objection. I spoke to them last night and today morning too. I was born an Akali and will die as an Akali.”
Asked whether they were also expected to join the SAD, Maluka said, “I neither asked them, nor did they show any willingness.”
His differences with the SAD started when the party denied a ticket to his son from the Rampura Phul constituency during the 2022 Assembly elections. “I contested my last election from Rampura Phul in 2022. I had demanded a ticket for my son too. I said if the party couldn’t give him the ticket, then it should deny multiple tickets to others as well, except for the Badal family,” he said.
Asked if any other rebel leader was also set to rejoin the SAD, he said, “Anything can happen in politics. I have returned, and others may also come back. Politics is done with love. I have not asked for any responsibility in the party.”
Ludhiana