Akali Dal rift deepens as rebel leaders react to Majithia’s ‘barefoot’ remark
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), February 7, 2026:The ongoing internal turmoil in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has now moved from closed-door deliberations to sharp public exchanges, with senior leaders openly responding to Bikram Singh Majithia’s remark about going “barefoot” to placate disgruntled party leaders.
Reacting to Majithia’s statement, senior Akali Dal (United) leader Prem Singh Chandumajra said that while the gesture sounded conciliatory, it lacked clarity on the ground.
“If they come to convince us barefoot, we will hug them in return,” Chandumajra remarked, but quickly added that, at present, such statements were merely rhetorical and not backed by any concrete steps. A veteran leader who has held several key positions in the party, Chandumajra is currently keeping his distance from the existing party high command.
Adding to the internal dissent, Manpreet Singh Ayali, MLA, spoke candidly about the party’s leadership crisis. He said the dissatisfaction among leaders and workers was not directed at the Shiromani Akali Dal as an organisation, but at the current leadership.
Calling for introspection at the top, Ayali stressed the need for a “sense of sacrifice” within the leadership to revive the party. His remarks are being seen as a direct reference to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the present style of functioning of the party.