Akali Dal in Punjab politics

This book analyses the phenomenon of Akali splits and mergers over a long period of time so as to develop a holistic view of the nature of Akali politics. The earlier studies on Akali factionalism do it in a piecemeal manner but do not answer the intriguing question as to what exactly makes these warring factions part company and then reunite with their erstwhile adversaries. Some important factors such as nature of state's political culture, the Akali Party's organisation, the role of Sikh High Priests, the ruling party at the centre and other parties and leaders of the Punjab state have been involved in shaping the intra-party factionalism and their eventual split or rejoining of hands to forge unity.

Organised in nine chapters the book covers exhaustively the framework of Akali politics and the split of Akali Dal over the dominance of Non Jat Sikhs and the merger under Batala Resolution in 1968 in first two chapters. The differences between the President of Akali Dal, Sant Fateh Singh and the Chief Minister, Gurnam Singh have been mentioned in third chapter. Fourthly, the study deals with the dispute between organisational and ministerial wings of Akali Dal and their merger over Dharamyudh Morcha in 1982. The formation of militant Akali groups, their unity under the directives of Akal Takht and split in Akali Dal over the police entry into Harmandir Sahib and the merger through the intervention of Akal Takht have been mentioned in next two chapters. Again the United Akali Dal disintegrated on the eve of 1989 and 1991 Lok Sabha elections and the unity for initiating dialogue with Central Government as well as to protect the Sikh interests from the Congress regime forums the seventh and eighth chapters respectively. The ninth chapter forms the concluding remarks. The recent developments Akali politics have been deat in the epilogue This book would be of great interest to all interested in Punjab politics especially in the splits and unity efforts of the Akak Dal