From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Parkash Singh Badal MLA (born August 12, 1927, in Abul Khurana, Punjab) is an Indian agriculturist and politician, with major interest in the State of Punjab.^[1] He is the current Chief Minister of Punjab and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal.^[2] The current political party which is in power in Punjab. He is currently serving his fourth term as the Chief Minister of Punjab, with effect from 1st March, 2007. Badal despite his famed equanimity, moderate credentials and long innings at the helm has failed to secure an enduring political legacy for himself largely because of the old style patronage,populist and oppurtunist brand of politics of which he is an acclaimed master.

Parkash Badal entered politics in 1947 and was first elected to Vidhan Sabha in 1957.^[1] He has served Chief Minister of Punjab for three terms previously. Also, he has been a Member of Parliament and became Union Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation in the Central Government headed by Morarji Desai.

He was detained in Karnal jail in connection with Civil Liberties Agitation, detained under MISA during Emergency and has been to jail several times for the cause of Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiat including the Dharam Yudh Morcha. In total, he has spent many years in jail as a political prisoner fighting for the future of Punjab.^[1]

He has two children, one son and one daughter. His son, Sukhbir Singh Badal,^[2] is presently a Member of Parliament and a former union minister. His daughter is married to Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon, scion of the Kairon family of Patti tehsil in the newly carved district of Tarn Taran, who is the grandson of the legendary Pratap Singh Kairon and nephew of former Chief Minister and Governor Harcharan Singh Brar.^[1]