Parkash Singh Badal
| Parkash Singh Badal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parkash Singh Badal during Sankalp Rally in Pathankot | |
| 8th Chief Minister of Punjab | |
| In office 1970–1971 | |
| Preceded by | Gurnam Singh |
| Succeeded by | President's rule |
| In office 1977–1980 | |
| Preceded by | President's rule |
| Succeeded by | President's rule |
| In office 1997–2002 | |
| Preceded by | Rajinder Kaur Bhattal |
| Succeeded by | Amarinder Singh |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office March 1, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Amarinder Singh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1927 Abul Khurana, Punjab, British India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Shiromani Akali Dal |
| Other political affiliations |
National Democratic Alliance |
| Spouse(s) | Surinder Kaur (1959–2011) |
| Children | Sukhbir Singh Badal Preneet Kaur |
| Residence | Chandigarh, India |
| Profession | Politician |
| Religion | Sikh |
Parkash Singh Badal is an Indian politician who has been the Chief Minister of Punjab since 2007.[1] He previously served as Chief Minister from 1970 to 1971, from 1977 to 1980, and from 1997 to 2002. He is also the patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a Sikh-centered regional political party based in Punjab. He was the president of the party from 1995 to 2008, when he was replaced by his son Sukhbir Singh Badal.[2][3]
As the patron of SAD he exercises a strong influence on Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee[4] and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and is generally regarded as the second most powerful Sikh leader worldwide, after India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh.
Early life
Parkash Singh Badal was born on December 8, 1927 in Abul Khurana, near Malout. He belongs to a Jat family of Dhillon clan.[5] His father's name is Raghuraj Singh and mother's name Sundri Kaur.[6]
Political career
He started his political career in 1947. He was Sarpanch of the village Badal and later Chairman of Block Samiti, Lambi before rising into Punjab politics. He was elected to Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1957 for the first time.[7] He was re-elected in 1969 serving as Minister for Community Development, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.[7] He was Leader of the Opposition in 1972, 1980 and 2002. He has been elected in Vidhan Sabha for total 10 times, 1957 and each election from 1969 till present except 1992. In 1992 he led a boycott of state elections in February 1992, by the Akalis.[8][9] He is also a former union minister in Morarji Desai government in 1977. He held the portfolio of Agriculture and Irrigation.
Chief Minister of Punjab
He has served as Punjab Chief Minister for four terms the first time in 1969 when he became the youngest Chief Minister of an Indian state. Presently he is serving his fifth term.
2007–2012 term
In 2007 Punjab State Election Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government won 67 out of 117 seats and Parkash Singh Badal was sworn as the Chief Minister for the fourth time.[10] He held 10 portfolios which include the ministries for Home, Housing & Urban Development, Excise & Taxation, Power, Personnel, General Administration, Vigilance, Employment, Legal & Legislative Affairs and NRIs Affairs.[11] Badal launched many schemes such as free ambulance service,[12] Talwandi Sabo thermal plant, etc.[13]
2012–present
In the 2012 election, Shiromani Akali Dal Bharatiya Janata Party combine won 68 seats out of 117,[14] despite a tradition of anti-incumbency in Punjab.[15] Badal again became the chief minister of Punjab on 14 March 2012 after being sworn in by the Governor of Punjab, Shivraj Patil. He is also the oldest chief minister ever, and is the only person who is both the youngest and the oldest chief minister of his state.[16] In the present government he holds portfolio of Personnel, General Administration, Power, Cooperation, Science Technology and Environment, Vigilance and Employment Generation.[17]
FDI in India
Badal opposed FDI, and sided with political ally BJP.[18]
Participation in Akali Movement
He was first detained in the Karnal jail in connection with Civil Liberties Agitation later under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act during the Indian Emergency.[7] He was President of the Akali Dal from 1996 to 2008.[19]
Corruption Case
Parkash Singh Badal along with his wife Surinder Kaur, son Sukhbir Singh and seven others were booked under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act in 2003. After a seven year long case all accused were acquitted by a local court in Mohali in 2010 due to the lack of incriminating evidence.[20] In 2007, 11 key witnesses retracting their statements before the Special Court set up in Ropar district.
Panth Rattan Award
On 11 December 2011, Badal was bestowed upon the title of Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum(literally Jewel of the religion, pride of the community) by the Akal Takht.[21] He was awarded this title at Golden Temple complex in the presence of Jathedars of all five Takhts in the form of a “siropa” (robe of honour), a sword and a silver plaque with inscription of the citation of Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum.[22] Badal was awarded this title for his service towards the Sikh Panth by creating many memorials pertaining to Sikhism such as Virasat-e-Khalsa, besides being imprisoned for long time and having faced atrocities during various Akali movements.
Many political and radical Sikh organizations such as Dal Khalsa, Khalra Mission Organization, Punjab Human Rights Organization, Khalsa Panchayat and Niarye Khalsa Organization. Former SGPC secretary general Manjit Singh Calcutta argued that this award is given posthumously.[23] In response, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh cited the example of Master Tara Singh, who was given this award during his lifetime.[21] Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh termed it sycophancy, as Badal indirectly controls SGPC.[24]
Personal life
In 1959, he married Surinder Kaur. The couple have two children, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Parneet Kaur who is married to Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon. Surinder Kaur wife died in 2011 after a long illness due to cancer.[25]
References
- ↑ http://punjabgovt.nic.in/governor.html
- ↑ Bains, Satinder (2008-01-31). "Sukhbir Badal becomes youngest president of Shiromani Akali Dal". Punjab Newsline. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
- ↑ Badal Jr. is Akali president
- ↑ SAD-Sant Samaj combine sweeps SGPC elections
- ↑ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120131/jsp/nation/story_15072665.jsp
- ↑ Bakshi, S.R. Parkash Singh Badal:Chief Minister of Punjab. APH Publishing Corporation, 1998, p. 11.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "The grand old man of Akali politics", CNN-IBN, 2007, Retrieved 2011-10-25. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-grand-old-man-of-akali-politics/34960-4.html
- ↑ Punjab Polls 2012
- ↑ Badal Bio
- ↑ Punjab Assembly Election 2007 Results
- ↑ Badal allocates portfolios
- ↑ Badal launches free ambulance service
- ↑ Talwandi Sabo thermal plant okayed
- ↑ Punjab elections results 2012
- ↑ Punjab Polls 2012: Warhorse Badal beats anti-incumbency for the first time – Politics – Elections – ibnlive
- ↑ Parkash Singh Badal takes oath as Punjab chief minister – Times Of India
- ↑ Punjab Cabinet Ministers Portfolios 2012
- ↑ "Badal contradicts son, opposes FDI". The Indian Express. Sep 27, 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
- ↑ "Past Presidents", Shiromani Akali Dal, 2011, Retrieved 2011-10-25. http://www.shiromaniakalidal.org.in/2010/past-presidents-akali-dal/
- ↑ Badal, family acquitted in corruption case
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Ignoring protests, Badal given top honour". The Tribune. 5 Dec 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ↑ "The CM is now Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum..". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ↑ "Grandiose title for Parkash Singh Badal sparks storm". THE TIMES OF INDIA. Nov 27, 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ↑ "Sikh intellectuals seek criterion for Panth Rattan". THE TIMES OF INDIA. Dec 6, 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ↑ "Surinder Kaur Badal dead: Former Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal's wife passes away",. The Economic Times, 2011, Retrieved 2011-10-25. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-05-24/news/29577679_1_cm-prakash-singh-badal-sukhbir-surinder-kaur-badal
| Preceded by Amarinder Singh |
Chief Minister of Punjab 1 March 2007 – present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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