Sukhdev Dhindsa, Brahmpura launch new party
CHANDIGARH: Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and former Lok Sabha member Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who separated themselves from the Badals-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after the 2017 state polls, on Monday formed a new political party, Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).
The two leaders jointly made the announcement at party’s office in Mohali. Dhindsa is president of the new outfit and Brahmpura is its patron.
The new political outfit was formed after the dissolution of Brahmpura-led SAD (Taksali) and Dhindsa-led SAD (Democratic) on April 19, and according to a spokesperson of the party, the launch of the new oufit got delayed due to ongoing wave of the pandemic.
“The organisation structure of the party will be announced soon,” said Dhindsa after a meeting with Brahmpura.
Speaking to the media, Dhindsa asked SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to clarify his party’s position on accepting donations worth ₹12 crore by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) from Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan who “supported” killings of Sikhs in 1984. Bachchan donated ₹2 crore in cash and ₹10-cr worth diagnostic machines.
Dhindsa also sought details of donors from Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and DSGMC.
The party leadership also paid condolences to former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, former Akali Minister Inderjit Singh Zira, former journalist and MLA Jarnail Singh, Abay Singh Sandhu (nephew Shaheed Bhagat Singh), Sant Baba Chota Singh, along with other prominent persons who passed away recently.
Former minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, ex-MLA Justice (retd) Nirmal Singh, former Punjab finance minister Parminder Dhindsa, former deputy speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Bir Devinder Singh, AISSF president Karnail Singh Peermohammad, and former MLAs Jagdish Singh Garcha and Ranjit Singh Talwandi were also present.