The recent upheaval in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-led Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) decision-making has done more than just remove two Jathedars — it has brought to the fore the long-suspected power struggle between Akali leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal and his once-trusted brother-in-law, Bikram Singh Majithia.

For years, Majithia and Sukhbir stood as an inseparable political duo, but the recent crisis suggested that the apprehensions of late Akali patriarch and five-time Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal might be coming true. Those close to the Akali corridors have long speculated that Majithia, an ambitious leader with an aggressive political style, harboured greater aspirations within the party. Parkash Singh Badal, a master strategist who spent decades shaping Punjab’s political landscape, was reportedly wary of Majithia’s growing influence and feared that one day, he might attempt to wrest control of the SAD from Sukhbir. That moment seems to be drawing closer. 

Majithia’s open revolt against the SGPC’s decision to remove Jathedars of Akal Takht and Kesgarh Sahib is more than just an ideological disagreement — it is a direct challenge to Sukhbir’s leadership. The SGPC, apparently the Akali Dal’s power center, does not act independently. Its actions are widely interpreted as extensions of the party’s internal strategies. By removing the Jathedars, Sukhbir may have hoped to erase the stain of the religious reprimand issued against him and other senior Akali leaders, including Majithia. Instead, it has backfired, triggering a rebellion from within.

Majithia, backed by five senior Akali leaders, including MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, issued a strong statement condemning the move, marking the first time he has openly opposed Sukhbir. His defiance has thrown the SAD into turmoil. 

The response from Sukhbir’s loyalists was swift. Party working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar lashed out at Majithia, reminding him of his meteoric rise within the Akali ranks — an ascent that was only possible because of the Badals. But Majithia, who once displayed unwavering loyalty, appeared unbothered by the criticism, hinting that his ambitions extend far beyond being just a foot soldier in the party. 

Senior Badal’s Fears Resurface

While Sukhbir and Majithia’s political careers were once deeply intertwined, the first signs of a rift appeared when Majithia was implicated in a high-profile drug case and jailed in early 2022. Though the SAD leadership rallied behind him, the relationship between the brothers-in-law never fully recovered. 

Political observers recalled a significant moment when Parkash Singh Badal, during a NRI Sammelan organized by the then SAD-led State Government in which Majithia was the NRI Minister — in a rare public remark — expressed concerns about those who had power handed to them versus those who had to struggle for it. Many saw this as a veiled reference to Majithia, signaling the veteran leader’s discomfort with the growing stature of his daughter-in-law Harsimrat Badal’s brother.

Majithia’s actions in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections further fueled speculation about a power shift. While Sukhbir traveled across Punjab campaigning, Majithia restricted himself to the Majha region, where he holds significant influence. Even at a recent family wedding, of Sukhbir’s daughter, the two brothers-in-law maintained a visible distance, reinforcing rumours of an internal power struggle. 

The SGPC’s controversial decision has not only fractured the Akali leadership but also deepened the party’s existential crisis. In the 2024 elections, the SAD suffered its worst-ever performance, with its vote share dropping to a historic low of 13.42%, even trailing behind the BJP in Punjab. 

Instead of strengthening the party’s position, the infighting has emboldened breakaway factions and rival leaders. Observers feared that rather than rebuilding itself, the Akali Dal may be heading towards an internal split. 

For Sukhbir, the stakes have never been higher. Once seen as the undisputed leader of Punjab’s oldest regional party, he now finds himself fighting for control — not just of the party but of his own political future. 

For Majithia, this could be the moment he has long been waiting for. If Parkash Singh Badal’s fears prove prophetic, Sukhbir may soon be left as just another Akali leader, while Majithia emerges as the party’s dominant force.

SIT Summons Majithia in Drugs Case Following SC Orders

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia has been summoned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning in the ongoing drugs case against him. Acting on the Supreme Court’s directive, Majithia has been ordered to appear at the SIT headquarters in Patiala at 11 am on March 17.

The summon came after a directive from a Supreme Court Bench led by Justice JK Maheshwari, which emphasized the necessity of Majithia’s presence to facilitate the investigation. The court also stated that if required, Majithia would need to appear again on March 18. “The authorities may interrogate him and complete the investigation,” the Bench noted. 

The case against Majithia stems from a December 2021 FIR filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, during the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress Government. The SIT has formally issued a notice to him, marking another significant step in the prolonged legal battle.