India, May 23 -- The internal discord within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) escalated with Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali launching a scathing counterattack against party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The confrontation has laid bare deep divisions in the century-old party, raising fresh questions about its direction and leadership.

A day after Sukhbir publicly labelled Ayali a "traitor" and vowed never to allow his return to the party fold, Ayali responded with a strongly worded video message on social media. In the message, Ayali dismissed allegations of personal gain and reaffirmed his loyalty to SAD's core Panthic ideology.

"This is not a fight for positions or benefits. It's about safeguarding the values the SAD was built on," Ayal...