Ludhiana, June 5
In a major political development ahead of shifting alliances in Punjab, senior leader and former Cabinet Minister Sohan Singh Thandal rejoined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today.
The announcement was made in the presence of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, marking a prominent comeback of a seasoned Akali face to the party ranks.
Thandal, who had recently aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Hoshiarpur, described his return as a “return to roots”, reaffirming his long-standing commitment to the Akali ideology.
Welcoming Thandal back into the party fold, Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “Sohan Singh Thandal has always been a dedicated and principled Akali leader. His experience and connect with the grassroots will further strengthen our organization, especially in the Doaba region.”
Thandal’s re-entry comes at a time when the Shiromani Akali Dal is working to reassert its influence across Punjab, particularly in regions where it has witnessed setbacks in recent years.
The move is also being seen as a signal to other estranged leaders that the party is open to reconciliation and united political revival.Party sources indicate that further announcements regarding Thandal’s role within SAD’s revamped structure will be made soon.
His return is expected to bolster SAD’s cadre morale in Hoshiarpur and surrounding districts.
