Decoding the decline: Analyzing the Shiromani Akali Dal's Setback in the Punjab assembly elections 2017 and 2022

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is the oldest regional political party of India which came into existence before the independence of the country. It has historically represented the interests of the Sikh community and has been a key player in the Punjab political landscape since the reorganization of the state in 1966. The party, which had been dominant force in the Punjab politics for decades, suffered an awful decline after the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Elections 2017 and 2022. The SAD won 15 seats in 2017 Assembly elections and failed to don itself with the opposition party status. In Punjab Assembly polls 2022, SAD won only 3 seats, which is its worst-ever electoral performance since its inception in 1920s. This research paper seeks to analyze the reasons behind the complete rout of the SAD. This decline was due to a combination of internal party defection, shifting public sentiment and growing discontent over its alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which alienated many Sikh voters. Furthermore, the poor handling of issues such as farm distress, drug addiction, sand mafia and the sacrilege incidents eroded its support base drastically. Besides this, the emergence of new political party, the Aam Aadami Party (AAP), also played a crucial role in diminishing the SAD’s dominance in the state.