Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal may have to step down from the post of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister as the six-month deadline for him to get elected to the Assembly expires on July 20 and no bypolls are scheduled in the state before that.

The son of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister in a grand ceremony at Amritsar on January 20. His brother-in-law Bikramjit Singh Majithia had vacated a Cabinet berth for him by resigning as a minister.

Under the Election Commission rules, 45 days are required from the date of announcement of an election for the completion of the poll process. For Sukhbir to get elected by July 20, such an announcement should have come by June 5. Under the Constitution, a person holding a ministerial post has to get elected within six months to either House.

"Now the only question of interest is the date on which he will resign as he is to go abroad on a private visit with his family from June 14. He is expected to return only in the first week of July," said an officer.