Expelled SAD leaders go into overdrive to mobilise support
Say will float new party on December 16, to name it Akal Dal with a suffix
AMRITSAR : Claiming that their announcement of a new political outfit in Punjab at the Akal Takht on December 16 (Sunday) will attract more followers than the recent atonement ‘Path’ of the Badals, expelled Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership of Majha (the erstwhile Taksali leadership) is busy in mobilising support.
Previously, the event was scheduled for December 14, the foundation day of the SAD.
Former Punjab minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, one of the expelled leaders, said, “The SAD will also mark its foundation day at the Akal Takht Sahib on December 14. To ensure that there is no clash between supporters, we changed our programme to December 16.”
On November 11, Sekhwan, MP from Khadoor Sahib constituency, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, his son Ravinder Singh Brahmpura (ex-MLA); former MP Rattan Singh Ajnala and his son Amarpal Singh Bonny (Ex-MLA), were expelled from the primary membership of the SAD for six years for indulging in anti-party activities.
On December 2, MP Brahmpura, Ajnala and Sekhwan had announced that they would float a new party on December 14.
“The new party would be named SAD (suffix). We have decided what it will be, but will disclose it only on December 16,” MP Brahmpura added.
The three veteran leaders had expressed their dismay at the “sad state of affairs” in the party in a joint press conference on October 1.
The trio had also boycotted the party’s October 7 Patiala rally. On October 23, Brahmpura resigned from all party posts. Sekhwan had followed suit on November 3.
CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS HELD
On Wednesday, Ravinder addressed public gatherings in Dera Sahib, Khadoor Sahib and Tarn Taran. “I appeal to you to come at the Akal Takht Sahib on December 16 for supporting the ‘New Akali Dal’.”
In Dera Sahib, he claimed, “Leaders of Sikh organisations, including some political parties, are in touch with us. The announcement of our new political outfit will shake up the SAD. This will be an eye-opener for Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia who are responsible for granting pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a blasphemy case, police firing in Kotakpura and Behbal Kalan and the Bargari sacrilege.”
On Tuesday, MP Brahmpura held a closed-door meeting with Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, president, Sikh Sadbhawna Dal. Wadala, former Hazoori Ragi of the Golden Temple, who had been sacked by the SGPC. He held back-to-back meetings in Bharowal, Khadoor Sahib, Goindwal Sahib and Chohla Sahib villages.
The Sukhpal Singh Khaira faction of the AAP and the Lok Insaaf Party of Bains brothers is also likely to support the new front.
Earlier this month, AAP’s suspended Patiala MP Dharamvir Gandhi had said, “Efforts were on to put together a new pro-Punjab political front of which Sukhpal Khaira and his team, Bains Brothers and the new Akali party to be floated by Ranjit Singh Brahmpura might become a part.”
Sewa Singh Sekhwan said, “Our gathering at the Akal Takht will be much bigger than the crowd at the ‘atonement seeking gathering of the Badals.” Ajnala said, “Our Akal Takht meeting will be historic.”
The SAD will also mark its foundation day at the Akal Takht Sahib on December 14. To ensure that there is no clash between supporters, we changed our programme. SEWA SINGH SEKHWAN, former Punjab minister