The evolution of Sukhbir Singh Badal: Year since father’s death, how Akali Dal chief is going about filling his shoes

With a flowing grey beard and a blue turban, these days Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal is almost a spitting image of his father and five-time Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Since the death of the SAD patron on April 25 last year, Sukhbir is facing the prospect of filling his father’s big shoes and has received advice from many quarters on how he should carry forward his legacy. But in his speeches, the former Punjab Deputy CM has often admitted that it is impossible to emulate his father.

“Vadde Badal saab banana impossible hai … par main uhna vaang Punjab ate quom layi har kurbani den layi tayyar haan (It is impossible to become like senior Badal sahab but I assure you I am ready to sacrifice everything for Punjab and the community, just like him),” he had said in his village on March 10 while speaking on the occasion of his father’s first death anniversary.

State BJP president Sunil Jakhar urged Sukhbir to follow in his father’s footsteps while pointing out that he has a large responsibility on his shoulders. “Parkash Singh Badal was a statesman to the core. The new generation must learn from him. Josh de naal hosh rakho (Keep your feet grounded even in excitement),” he said at the event, calling for leaders to cultivate patience in politics.

Though the SAD president faces the uphill task of maintaining the legacy of his father, who was seen to be a “political university in himself”, since last December he seems to be evolving politically. From changing his appearance to almost appear like his father and exuding patience while fiercely attacking opponents to making efforts for Panthic unity, Sukhbir set the ball rolling on December 14 when he issued a public apology for not being able