Expelled taksalis to launch ‘save SAD’ drive from Sukhbir bastion

Exminister Sekhwan says campaign aimed at reviving the party by uniting veterans marginalised and silenced by Badals; akhand paath starts at Arliwala village of Jalalabad

AMRITSAR:The three expelled taksali leaders from Majha — Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Rattan Singh Ajnala — are set to launch the ‘Akali Dal Bachao Muhim’ (save Akali Dal campaign) on November 18 from Jalalabad, the assembly constituency of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The three, who had raised a banner of revolt against Sukhbir, were expelled from the party for their alleged “anti-party activities” a few days back.

Sekhwan, a former state minister, said akhand paath (continuous recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) was started at Arliwala village of Jalalabad on Friday, a day after 15-20 Akali workers led by former district president of SAD’s Fazilka (rural) unit resigned from the primary membership of the party in protest against Sukhbir over the sacrilege issue.

“Bhog (concluding) ceremony of the akhand path will be held on November 18, when those who quit the party for sake of the Panth and the Guru Granth Sahib will be honoured,” said Sekhwan. Sekhwan, Brahmpura (Khadoor Sahib MP) and Ajnala(former MP) have particularly expressed resentment over the 2015 sacrilege incidents that took place when the party was in power and the Akal Takht pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a blasphemy case given at the alleged behest of the Badals.

Sekhwan said the campaign aimed at reviving the old Akali Dal will be launched during the bhog ceremony with Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubhaya being in attendance. Two-time MP Ghubaya had also revolted.

“The campaign is being started in consultation with Brahmpura and Ajnala. Even as the two will not be able to make it to the launch on health grounds, they are with us,” he said.

Sekhwan said, “The drive will be held to mobilise the taksali Akalis who have been marginalised by the Badals (party patron Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir) or who have joined other political parties. We will also approach those who are within the SAD but are silent due to the dictatorial attitude of the Badals.”

“We will bring all such leaders and workers on a single platform and revive the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in true sense of the word. Badals have diminished the party’s stature and we want to save it from them,” he added.

Ranjit Brahmpura’s son and former Khadoor Sahib MLA Ravinder Singh said though his father won’t be able to attend the November 18 event as his eyes was operated two days ago, they all are united for this cause.

The campaign is being started in consultation with Brahmpura and Ajnala. Even as the two will not be able to make it to the launch on health grounds, they are with us. SS SEKHWAN, expelled SAD leader