About

Sardar Parkash Singh Badal is recognised as the most prominent political figure who was born on 8th December 1927 in Abul Khurana, Punjab Province during British India. He passed away on April 25, 2023. He served as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) party from 1995 to 2008. With an extended exposure to the political issues and resolutions, he has also served five terms as the Chief Minister of Punjab from 1970-71, 1977-80, 1997-2002, 2007-12 and 2012-17. 

He was also the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1977, 1980 to 1983 and from 2002 to 2007. Apart from this, he also served as the 11th Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in the Morarji Desai ministry during the year 1977.

During his tenure, he had a strong influence on the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee as well as on the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee.  He was a great politician who actively participated in transforming the Punjab State into a well-organised and developed area by focusing on agricultural policies, rural development and infrastructure projects to improve the overall socio-economic conditions of the state.

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Personal Life

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Interesting Facts

1. Longest-Serving Chief Minister: Parkash Singh Badal holds the record for being the longest-serving Chief Minister of the Indian state of Punjab. He served five non-consecutive terms in this role.
2. Early Political Involvement: Badal entered politics at a young age and was elected as a Sarpanch (village head) at the age of 21. This marked the beginning of his long and impactful political career.
3. Advocate for Farmers: Badal was known for his advocacy on behalf of farmers. He implemented policies aimed at supporting agricultural development and improving the socio-economic conditions of farmers in Punjab.
4. Imprisonment during Emergency: During the Emergency period in India (1975-1977), Badal was imprisoned for raising his voice against the policies of the central government. His commitment to political principles and resistance against authoritarianism became evident during this period.
5. Founder of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) (1920): Badal was one of the key figures in the formation of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a regional political party in Punjab with a focus on Sikh issues and interests.
6. Union Minister of Agriculture: He served as the Union Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation at the national level in the Government of India during the Janata Party government in 1977 and later in 1998.
7. Union Minister of Food Processing Industries: Badal also served as the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries in the Government of India in 2004 and 2014.
8. Family in Politics: His son, Sukhbir Singh Badal and daughter-in-law, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, have also been actively involved in politics. Sukhbir Singh Badal has held various political positions in Punjab.
9. Fondly called ‘Sardar Sahib’: Out of respect, Parkash Singh Badal was often addressed as ‘Sardar Sahib’ by his supporters and colleagues.

Legacy in Punjab Politics: Badal’s legacy is deeply ingrained in Punjab’s political history, and he played a significant role in shaping the state's political landscape for several decades. His contributions to regional issues, particularly those related to the Sikh community, have left a lasting impact.

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Political Timeline

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