Punjab Assembly Bypolls: Shiromani Akali Dal not to contest elections on November 13

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the SAD's working committee and the party's district presidents in Chandigarh.

The move came a day after SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal failed to get any temporary relief from the Akal Takht, which declared him 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct).

Speaking about the decision, Cheema said, "For a long time a complaint which was given by some rebel leaders against Shiromani Akali Dal is still pending before Sri Akal Takht Sahib."

"We requested the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib to allow the President of SAD to contest elections for Gidderbaha by-polls. But yesterday, the Jathedar Sahib's order came that he cannot go right now. So we decided that Shiromani Akali Dal would keep itself out of these elections. We will not have any candidate," said Cheema.

Earlier in August, the Akal Takht had declared Shiromani Akali Dal Chief, Sukbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya'- guilty of religious misconduct, for "some decisions" during his tenure as deputy chief minister from 2007 to 2017.

The move to declare Badal 'tankahiya' was made by five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht.

Reading the order, Jathedar (chief Priest) of Shri Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh said that Badal, along with his partner Sikh Cabinet Ministers need to submit their written explanations.

The Chief Priest also mentioned that will have to appear before the Takht and seek forgiveness for his "sins".

After he was declared 'tankhaiya' by the Akal Takht on August 30, Badal appeared before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs and sought forgiveness for the "mistakes" committed by his party and its government.

The by-polls on 48 constituencies are spread over 15 states - Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

The counting of votes will take place on November 23. (ANI)