Parkash Singh Badal is an Indian politician who has been the Chief Minister of Punjab since 2007. 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. 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. 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. 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. He is also a former union minister in Morarji Desai government in 1977. He held the portfolio of Agriculture and Irrigation. 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. 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. 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. In response, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh cited the example of Master Tara Singh, who was given this award during his lifetime. Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh termed it sycophancy, as Badal indirectly controls SGPC. 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 In the 2012 election, Shiromani Akali Dal Bharatiya Janata Party combine won 68 seats out of 117, despite a tradition of anti-incumbency in Punjab.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. In the present government he holds portfolio of Personnel, General Administration, Power, Cooperation, Science Technology and Environment, Vigilance and Employment Generation

• published: 23 Jan 2014
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