Facing mounting pressure and embroiled in controversy, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has taken decisive steps to reassert his leadership and prepare for upcoming electoral battles. Sukhbir on Tuesday convened crucial meetings to address both internal party dynamics and external political challenges.   The development assumed significance as the meetings of the newly-constituted core committee and working committee were held a day after the Akal Takht — Sikhs highest temporal seat — made public the written apology submitted by Sukhbir Badal in response to the allegations levelled by the SADs rebel faction.   The heart of the days agenda was the newly-formed core committees deliberations, which focused on the upcoming by-elections in Punjab. With four assembly seats to be contested, the SAD has intensified its preparations. The core committee, under Sukhbirs leadership, appointed observers for each constituency, tasked with selecting suitable candidates. A comprehensive strategy for these by-elections will be finalized during a general session scheduled for November at Sri Anandpur Sahib.   The November session, a three-day delegate event, will be instrumental in shaping the partys long-term strategy, said a senior Akali leader.   The leader informed that discussions are set to cover a wide range of issues, including Punjabs financial crisis, environmental challenges, and educational policies. The party aimed to address pressing regional and national issues, such as the ongoing agricultural crisis and the concerns of the NRI community, as part of its broader agenda.   In addition to preparing for the by-elections, the core committee outlined plans for a series of political conferences. These events will commemorate key figures and milestones in the partys history.   To reinforce the partys historical significance and political message, a conference will be held on August 15 in Isru village to honour the martyrdom of Shaheed Karnail Singh Isru. This will be followed by gatherings on August 19 at Baba Bakala for Rakhar Punia and on August 20 at Longowal to mark the death anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.   The meetings also addressed recent internal disciplinary actions. The core and working committees confirmed the decisions made by the disciplinary committee, which included expelling several leaders for anti-party activities. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen party discipline and cohesion.   A significant portion of the discussions was devoted to the political and legal troubles faced by senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia. SAD strongly condemned what it perceives as a political vendetta by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The party members criticized the ongoing legal actions against Majithia, alleging that the case under the NDPS Act is fabricated and that the repeated summons and attempts to obstruct Majithias court appearances amount to harassment.   Financial issues in Punjab also came under scrutiny during the meetings. Former Minister Daljit Singh Cheema highlighted the states burgeoning debt, which now totals Rs 3.5 lakh crore, with Rs 65,000 crore accumulated under the AAP government. SAD criticized the Governments approach of using long-term loans for capital expenditure, arguing that it reflects poor financial management and exacerbates the states economic difficulties.

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