Akali Dal distances itself from Chadha on video backlash

AMRITSAR: After the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faced backlash on social media over an objectionable video clip in which former Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjit Singh Chadha is seen with a woman principal, the party went on the defensive.

Earlier, the SAD had faced similar backlash on social media when objectionable videos of party MP Sher Singh Ghubhaya and former minister Such aS ingh Langah had surfaced.

SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said the party will have an association with the Chief K hals a Di wan irrespective of the fact who its officebearers are.

“In fact, he is a businessman. He approaches those who are in power,” Cheema said.

“Whenever the institution invited us, we attended its various events. But that does not mean that Chad ha has any affiliation with the party. The party has relation with the institution, not an individual. It’s unfortunate that a historic institution like Chief Khalsa Diwan, which had made big contribution in spreading Sikhism and imparting education, has got embroiled into this,” he said.

Senior SAD leader Vi rs aS ingh Valtoha said, “Chadha has no association with the SAD. He was not even a primary member of the party. He was head of an autonomous educational institution with which the SAD has no organisation al relation .”

“He is a relative of former Delhi SikhGu rd war a Management Comm it tee(DSGMC)p resident Paramjit Sing hS ar na and P on ty Chad ha. It is an open truth that Sarna is very close to the Congress. He was also among those who were first to meet Captain Am arin der Singh to congratulate him as soon as the Congress took charge,” he said.

The party will have an association with the Chief Khalsa Diwan irrespective of the fact who its officebearers are.

DALJIT SINGH CHEEMA, SAD spokesperson