Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa proclaims himself as SAD chief

Our Correspondent
Ludhiana, July 7

Rajya Sabha member and former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa today claimed that he had taken over as the new president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He said he had already “expelled” Sukhbir Singh Badal from the party during a rally held in Sangrur on February 23.

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Sekhwan, Bir Devinder leave SAD (Taksali)

Amritsar: The SAD (Taksali) suffered a major setback with its prominent leaders switching loyalties to Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Bir Devinder Singh joined the Dhindsa faction, “abandoning” Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who heads the SAD (Taksali). Sekhwan said that he and Bir Devinder had quit the party due to the “indifferent attitude” of Brahmpura. TNS

Dhindsa had called a meeting of his supporters at Gurdwara Shaheedan at Model Town here today. It was being expected that he would announce a new faction of the Akali Dal. He, however, sprung a surprise by claiming himself to be the new chief of the SAD.

Amid applause by those present at the meeting, Dhindsa said he would not leave any stone unturned to “restore the glory” of both SGPC and the SAD. He made an appeal to Taksali leader Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and other veteran party leaders to get together so that the Sikh community could achieve new heights.

He announced that under his leadership, the ‘SAD’ would contest the SGPC elections so that the supreme Sikh body could be “freed from the clutches of the Badals” and punishment be given to those guilty of Panthic crimes.

He said the party led by him was the “genuine” Akali Dal and gradually all other breakaway groups, except the Badals and their close associates, would come under it so as to provide a viable alternative to the people of Punjab.

Several senior leaders, including Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Jagdish Singh Garcha, Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, Bir Devinder Singh, Manjit Singh GK, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Des Raj Singh Dhugga, Harjit Kaur Talwandi and Sikh Students’ Federation activists Paramjit Singh Khalsa and Manjit Singh Bhoma were present on the occasion.