SAD inducts sidelined leaders, sons of former ministers into PAC
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday inducted party leaders who were ignored during the 10-year rule of the Akali-BJP government into the party’s political affairs committee (PAC).
Former minister Surjit Singh Kohli, former Youth Akali Dal president Kiranbir Singh Kang, Jagdish Singh Garcha, Sarup Singh Sehgal, Satwant Kaur Sandhu, Didar Singh Bhatti and Randhir Singh Cheema have been included in the 39-member PAC.
Two young faces and sons of former ministers Barjinder Singh Brar (son of Tota Singh) and Naib Singh Kohar (son of Ajit Singh Kohar) were also inducted into the PAC.
To counter senior dissident leaders — Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who openly criticised SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, and Rajya Sabha MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who formed a splinter group SAD (Taksali) — the party has taken their close confidants Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke into the PAC and Gurbachan Singh Bachi has been appointed as party’s general secretary. Announcing the list, Sukhbir said the PAC members as well as well as the new office-bearers would work to strengthen the party.
Other Akali leaders who have been inducted into the PAC are former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, Balbir Singh Bath, Hardev Singh Dimpy Dhillon, Bhupinder Singh Lalli Kang, Ravinder Singh Babbal, Mohinder Kaur Josh, Justice Nirmal Singh (retd), Des Raj Dhugga, Balbir Singh Ghunas, F Nissara Khatoon, Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, Bhag Singh Malha, Ajit Singh Shant, Ishar Singh Meharban, Rajmohinder Singh Majithia, Mohinder Singh Romana, Santa Singh Umaidpur, Surjit Singh Kang Rajasthan, Bibi Gurdev Singh Sangha, Vardev Singh Mann, Baba Ajit Singh, Harjinder Singh Dhami, Jeewan Dhawan and Harjinder Jakhu.
Amarjit Kaur, a relative of chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has also been inducted into the PAC. Manjit Singh and Jagjit Singh Lopo have been appointed as senior vice-presidents of the party.
Sukhbir said the party will soon come out with a list of vicepresidents, organising secretaries and other office-bearers.