The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced it will not contest the November 13 bypolls for four Punjab assembly seats. This decision followed an emergency meeting after SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared ‘tankhaiya’ by the Akal Takht for past misconduct. Senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema stated the withdrawal aims to prioritize ‘Panthic’ interests and uphold the dignity of Sikhs.