AMRITSAR, Aug. 12 -- Giani Harpreet Singh, 52, who on Monday was elected as the president of the breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), is an outspoken religious leader with good command over panthic matters.

The ex-jathedar's elevation came amidst his long-drawn tussle with the Sukhbir Singh Badal camp over his role in the December 2, 2024, decree, which not only declared Sukhbir Singh Badal tankhayia for the mistakes committed by the party during its government from 2007 to 2017 but also revoked Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum title awarded to late SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal. The decree also called for the reorganisation of the party with a change of leadership.

Belonging to an economically weaker family, Giani Harpreet ...