SAD to keep Makkar issue on hold till party chief Sukhbir’s reappointment

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 11

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has decided to keep the issue of demand for disciplinary action against former MLA Sarabjeet Makkar pending for some days till the reappointment of Sukhbir Singh Badal as the party chief.

On Monday, Makkar used abusive language against district SAD (urban) chief Kulwant S Manan for not getting a chair during a meeting. He had mouthed expletives in front of the senior party leadership, including SAD general secretary Mahesh Inder S Grewal and former CPS Mohinder Kaur Josh, after which there has been unrest within party workers, seeking action against Makkar.

Even as a meeting with senior Akali leaders had been called today on the demand of party councillors, former councillors, circle presidents, SC/BC wing and women wing, it was cancelled on the intervention of the party high command.

The 68 leaders, who had today decided to put forth an offer to resign, were told that the meeting had been cancelled in view of the forthcoming event of the SAD chief’s reappointment on December 14. They were asked to remain calm till the event as any outrage within could lead to spoiling of the function.

It is also learnt that the message was conveyed through former minister Bikram Majithia, who was in Kapurthala today. Majithia had called up Jalandhar leaders and asked them to pacify the agitating workers lest it could dent the image of the party at a crucial time. Two leaders from Jalandhar had even been called to Kapurthala for discussing the matter. SAD leader Baljeet S Neelamahal confirmed that the decision on the issue had been kept pending for now.

It is also learnt that the high command has pacified Makkar’s opponents by telling them that the former MLA’s (Makkar’s) demand for appointment of four delegates chosen by him for the SAD chief elections had been kept on hold.

“Not over two delegates of his choice will be taken. Party leader HS Walia and district president Manan will also be able to send a delegate each,” said an insider, who shared that the workers were also expecting some action against Makkar after the December 14 function.