Ex-army chief JJ Singh quits Akali Dal

PATIALA: A day after election results were announced in five states, former army chief Gen JJ Singh resigned from the party on Wednesday, saying he was unhappy with the party leadership’s style of functioning. Gen Singh was the first Sikh officer to become the army chief. He had unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections in 2017 as Akali candidate against Capt Amarinder Singh from Patiala.

PATIALA: A day after election results were announced in five states, former Indian Army chief Gen JJ Singh resigned from the party on Wednesday, saying he was unhappy with the party leadership’s style of functioning.

Gen Singh was the first Sikh officer to become the army chief. He had unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections in 2017 as an Akali candidate against Capt Amarinder Singh from Patiala.

Singh was also the president of the ex-servicemen’s wing of the SAD. “I have resigned from the Shiromani Akali Dal with a heavy heart and as the president of party’s ex-servicemen’s wing,” Singh said.

When asked what made him to take this decision, he said, “Everyone knows, why I am and others are disillusioned with the Akali Dal. I am a true Sikh and a nationalist. Ranjit Singh Commission’s pointing to involvement of some politicians in sacrilege incidents had hurt me deeply. Everybody knows who is the culprit,” he said.

It’s the latest setback to the Akali Dal that has been battling dissent in its ranks. Akali MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa resigned from all party posts in September, followed by rebellion by taksali leaders (old guards) MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, former MP Rattan Singh Ajnala and ex-minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, which culminated with their expulsion from the party.

“I entered the active politics with the aim of serving the people after a very satisfying tenure as the army chief and as governor of Arunachal Pradesh, where in all humility, I was given the sobriquet of a people’s governor,” he said. “Today, I feel disillusioned particularly with what I have seen and experienced in Punjab since 2016.”

About his future course of action, he said he will continue to serve the public through social service.

He said that he is keeping political options open and if any party, which is honest towards citizens, will give him a chance, he will surely work with them to serve the nation.

Gen Singh fought the 1965 and 1971 wars, apart from being among the architects of defeating Pakistani intruders in Kargil. He served as the 22nd chief of the Indian Army from January 31, 2005, to September 30, 2007.

Ranjit Singh Commission pointing to involvement of some politicians in sacrilege incidents hurt me deeply.

GEN JJ SINGH (RETD), ex-army chief