Prem Singh Chandumajra Quits SAD (Punar Surjit), Likely to Return to Badal-Led SADਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਚੰਡੂਮਾਜਰਾ ਨੇ ਸਾਧ (ਪੁਨਰ ਸੁਰਜੀਤ) ਤੋਂ ਅਸਤੀਫ਼ਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਬਾਦਲ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਾਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਾਪਸੀ ਦੀ ਸੰਭਾਵਨਾ

Senior Akali leader and former MP Professor Prem Singh Chandumajra on Wednesday announced his resignation from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), dealing another blow to the Giani Harpreet Singh-led breakaway faction months ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. He is likely to return to the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), according to Hindustan Times.

'Our thinking and working style are not aligned'

Chandumajra said the coming together of all Akali and Panthic groups on a common platform to safeguard the interests of Punjab and the Panth is the need of the hour. He said the public response of SAD (Punar Surjit) president Giani Harpreet Singh to his appeal for Panthic unity made him realise that their thinking, ideology and working style were not aligned, and he had therefore decided to part ways with the faction. His commitment to the Panth, Punjab, Punjabiat and the rights of Punjab remained firm, he added.

He had hinted at the move on Tuesday, calling for Panthic unity and urging all Panthic leaders to contest the elections under a single symbol.

SAD welcomes the move, rival faction calls it unfortunate

The Badal-led SAD welcomed Chandumajra's resignation and his call for Panthic unity. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the party's election manifesto committee, SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder said Chandumajra had decided to work for the betterment of Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiat. Bhunder urged all Panthic leaders to unite under the SAD umbrella and hoped senior leaders who had left the party in the past would rejoin it in the coming days.

Within the Punar Surjit camp, senior leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala described the resignation as unfortunate. He said Chandumajra appeared to have acted in haste and under pressure after his political rival, Sanour MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, defected from the AAP to the BJP. Pathanmajra had defeated Chandumajra's son Harinder Pal Singh Chandumajra in Sanour in 2022 by 49,112 votes.

A faction losing its founders

SAD (Punar Surjit) was formed on 11 August 2025 by rebel Akali leaders who split from the Badal-led SAD after campaigning for Sukhbir Singh Badal's resignation and fresh elections for the party presidency. Chandumajra was among the leaders who spearheaded that campaign and helped set up the faction.

He is the latest in a string of senior departures. Former minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, Barjinder Singh Brar, Charanjit Singh Brar and former Dhuri MLA Iqbal Singh Jhundan all quit in July. Rakhra later joined the AAP, Barjinder Singh Brar returned to the SAD, Charanjit Singh Brar joined the BJP, and Ayali and Jhundan are now leading the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De in the absence of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh.

Has Chandumajra rejoined the SAD?

Not yet in any announcement reported so far. Hindustan Times reported he is likely to return to the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD, and the SAD has publicly welcomed his resignation from the rebel faction and his call for Panthic unity, but no formal rejoining has been announced.

What is SAD (Punar Surjit)?

It is the breakaway Akali faction formed on 11 August 2025 by leaders who split from the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD, projecting itself as a reformist Panthic force under Giani Harpreet Singh.

Who else has left the faction?

Surjit Singh Rakhra, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Barjinder Singh Brar, Charanjit Singh Brar and Iqbal Singh Jhundan quit in July, and have since joined or aligned with the AAP, the SAD, the BJP and Akali Dal Waris Punjab De.