Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa: Of principled stands, complex ties and unfulfilled dreams

The death of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa marked the end of an era in the Akali politics. Throughout his career, Dhindsa remained a rival and fierce competitor of the Badals, both within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and outside it. His importance in Akali politics was multifaceted; he served as a stabilising factor within the SAD and presented himself as an alternative to the Badal family. Despite his significant contributions and ambitions, Dhindsa could not realise his dream of leading the SAD or surpassing Parkash Singh Badal in influence.

Dhindsa's political journey began with leadership at the grassroots level as a village sarpanch, eventually leading to his election as an MLA from Dhanaula in 1972. His early success laid the foundation for his long association with SAD, where he quickly rose through the ranks to hold prominent positions, including Union Minister of Sports, Chemicals, and Fertilizers in the Vajpayee government. His tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP further solidified his influence within the party.

Dhindsa's relationship with Parkash Singh Badal was "complex". They shared a long-standing friendship, with Dhindsa often described as Badal's closest colleague. This camaraderie, however, was intertwined with a "deep-seated rivalry", particularly over the leadership of SAD. Dhindsa served as the party's secretary general, a position that underscored his influence and proximity to Badal.

Despite their friendship, Dhindsa's ambitions often put him at odds with Badal. Experts note that Dhindsa's desire to lead the party was a driving force behind many of his political moves. His principled stands, such as returning the Padma Bhushan in solidarity with protesting farmers, highlighted his willingness to challenge the status quo and assert his vision for the party.

The rivalry between Dhindsa and Badal became more pronounced as the latter's son, Sukhbir Singh Badal, began to take on a more prominent role within the party. Dhindsa's dissent against Sukhbir's leadership, particularly after the SAD's poor performance in the 2017 Assembly elections, marked a significant turning point. His resignation from all party positions in 2018 and subsequent expulsion from the SAD underscored the deep divisions within the party.

In response to his expulsion, Dhindsa formed the Shiromani Akali Dal (Democrat) and later the Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) with Ranjit Singh Brahmpura. These new political outfits aimed to reclaim the traditional values of the SAD and challenge the existing leadership. Although these efforts did not yield significant electoral success, they demonstrated Dhindsa's enduring influence and commitment to his political ideals. In his lifetime, he remained under the shadow of Parkash Singh Badal, though he tried to create an independent space. He would often voice critical views in party meetings and always tried to carve out his own niche. Badal proved a bigger adversary, and after his demise, Dhindsa made a final effort to become the tallest Sikh leader who stood by farmers. However, he could not garner support from the Majha and Malwa regions, and his dream remained unfulfilled.

Historian Jagtar Singh remarked, "He was a good number two in the Akali Dal. He was a Badal loyalist until 2017. In 1989, when Badal was marginalised, few were left with him. Only Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder stood by him." Dhindsa understood the nuances of Akali politics. He did not want his son to be a number two in the party like him. Thus, he parted ways and took the risk to form his own party, providing a political path for his son Parminder Dhindsa.