Chandigarh- The Shiromani Akali Dal - Punar Surjit, revived in the light of the Hukamnama issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on December 2, 2024, today formally placed before the people its internal vision document titled Akali Declaration 2026.
Addressing a press conference, Giani Harpreet Singh said that following the revival of the party, fresh membership was carried out and, in accordance with the directions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, a process was initiated to bring forward a new leadership through a Delegate Session.
He said that during the Delegate Session, and in consultation with senior party leaders, a seven-member committee was constituted to prepare a new Panth- and Punjab-oriented agenda for the party’s emerging leadership. The committee, headed by S. Iqbal Singh Jhunda, held more than thirty-five meetings and prepared the document after extensive discussion and serious deliberation.
Giani Harpreet Singh said that after detailed consideration by the senior leadership at the party level, it was decided to release this document to the people of Punjab through the press. He added that Akali Declaration 2026 is not an election manifesto, but the party’s own vision document, laying out its ideological direction, organisational discipline, and long-term commitment to the rise of the Panth and the rebuilding of Punjab.
He said the document addresses every major issue connected with the future of Punjab and reflects the party’s effort to provide a principled and structured direction to public life.
Speaking on the occasion, S. Iqbal Singh Jhunda said that the document lays down a clear framework for internal reform and disciplined political functioning within the party. He said that the principles of “one leader, one post” and “one family, one ticket” would be implemented. The term of the party president, he said, would be three years, and no one would be able to continue in that post for more than two consecutive terms. He further stated that the party president would not contest elections, and if he wished to do so, he would have to resign from the presidency one year in advance.
S. Jhunda also said that the age limit for the party’s Youth Wing would be 37 years. He noted that the document calls for the revival of the All India Sikh Students Federation and the formation of its units in colleges and universities.
Referring to the Panthic direction contained in the document, he said that Akali Declaration 2026 emphasizes the propagation and dissemination of the philosophy of the Ten Gurus and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which would help restore the original character and spirit of the Akali Dal. He added that efforts would also be made to establish an appropriate framework to safeguard the independent status of the Jathedars of all Takhts, including Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
He said that the document seriously addresses the concerns of every section of Punjab so that the state may be rebuilt by taking all sections of society along. He added that this, in essence, is the true role and responsibility of a regional party in Punjab.
Emphasizing the seriousness of the exercise, S. Jhunda said that work toward implementing the party’s internal vision would begin immediately, and that unlike token political documents, this would be treated as a living direction for the organisation.
The party also clarified that its election manifesto would be prepared separately, at the appropriate time, as a Common Minimum Programme in consultation with alliance partners.
Among those present at the press conference were S. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, S. Sucha Singh Chhotepur, S. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Bibi Jagir Kaur, S. Gobind Singh Longowal, S. Satwinder Singh Tohra, S. Karnail Singh Peermohammad, S. Jagjit Singh Kohli, and several other senior leaders.