Change at top, but hurdles stay in SAD’s unity efforts

Amritsar: Despite accepting Sukhbir Singh Badal's resignation and initiating the enrolment process to reorganise the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), party unity remains elusive. The leadership of the dissolved SAD Sudhar Lehar now contemplates forming a new political platform with like-minded individuals to rejuvenate the party.Sudhar Lehar's leadership had lodged a complaint with the Akal Takht previously against Sukhbir Badal and other Akali leaders. They accuse the SAD of violating the Sikh clergy's directive to form a mandated seven-member committee for the enrolment process. While the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghubir Singh, acknowledged ambiguities in the directives, he expressed hope that the committee would still be constituted.There is dissatisfaction with the process. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, a former leader of the dissolved Lehar, criticised the handling of Sukhbir Badal's resignation. "The process of accepting Sukhbir's resignation without forming the mandated committee is like removing him through one door and bringing him back through another. This violates Akal Takht's directives," Wadala claimed.Hinting at the possibility of forming a new political platform with the support of like-minded individuals and religious leaders to revive the SAD, Wadala argued that the faction opposing the Akal Takht's directives had left them no choice but to reconsider their strategy. The seven-member committee, proposed by the Akal Takht and led by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami includes Kripal Singh Badungar, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayalee, Santa Singh Umaidpuri, and Bibi Satwant Kaur. The Akal Takht mandated this committee to oversee the enrolment process for SAD's reorganisation.Dissident SAD member Bhai Manjit Singh accused the party of sidelining leaders aligned with the Lehar by assigning them insignificant roles. "Failing to form the seven-member committee is a direct violation of the Akal Takht's directives," he alleged, accusing Sukhbir of downplaying the situation and undermining the authority of the Akal Takht by coming up with the "excuse of technical issues".boxTakht's stanceJathedar Giani Raghubir Singh of the Akal Takht welcomed the SAD working committee's decision to accept Sukhbir Badal's resignation but voiced concern over the delay in forming the seven-member committee. "The committee has not been cancelled; it still stands. There should be no hesitation in its formation," the Jathedar said. He called the delay "procrastination" that undermines the Akal Takht's directives. The ongoing discord within the SAD highlights challenges in achieving unity amid efforts to restructure the party. As discussions on forming a new political platform gain momentum, the SAD faces mounting pressure to adhere to the Akal Takht's directives and address internal dissent.MSID:: 117149896 413 |