Rebel leader Makhan Brar returns to Sukhbir-led Shiromani Akali Dal

Former minister Tota Singh’s son rejoins Shiromani Akali Dal days after accusing the rebel faction of conspiring with government agencies

Senior Moga leader Barjinder Singh Makhan Brar rejoined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday, marking a return to the party fold led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. The induction took place at the former deputy chief minister’s residence in Badal village, Muktsar district.

Upon his return, Barjinder Singh Makhan Brar described the move as a homecoming, saying he felt elated to be back. (HT)

Brar, the son of late Akali minister Tota Singh, had defected from the SAD last March to join a rebel faction opposing Sukhbir’s leadership. However, he resigned from the breakaway group, the SAD (Punar Surjit), on April 4.

Upon his return, Brar described the move as a homecoming, saying he felt elated to be back. His return follows a sharp public exit from the rebel camp, during which he levelled serious allegations against former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and SAD legislator Manpreet Ayali.

Brar claimed that the rebel leaders were misleading the Panth (Sikh community) in collaboration with central agencies and Punjab’s AAP government to weaken the SAD. Despite losing the Moga assembly seat on a SAD ticket in both 2017 and 2022, Brar remains a prominent political figure in the region.