Chandigarh: Tension prevailed at the head office of the Shiromani Akali Dal in Sector 28 following reports that the rebel group was trying to enter the place. Police security increased as the youth workers including members of the Student Organisation of India (SOI) gathered at the gates to thwart the rebels.
Meanwhile, the rebels assembled at Convention Centre, Sector 36. The rebels announced launching of the Shiromani Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar (SAD reform movement) and a presidium system of collective leadership. They remembered stalwart Akali leader Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Gurpartap Wadala was made convenor of the movement while Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa would be its patron.
The move comes amid growing discontent with the current leadership, particularly SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, following the party's recent electoral losses.
The dissenting leaders, including notable figures like former MP Chandumajra and ex-MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, have called for Badal to step down. The group aims to reconnect with expelled leaders and celebrate key anniversaries of historical figures to reinvigorate the party's base. Wadala emphasized the need for new leadership, citing the unimplemented Jhunda committee report as a missed opportunity for change.
Akal Takht Jathedar summons Badal
Meanwhile, the five High Priests led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh summoned Badal to appear at the Akal Takht within 15 days to submit in writing his reply to the allegations levelled by a group of rebel Akali leaders.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the five High Priests held at the Akal Takht Secretariat. The rebel Akali leaders had submitted a written apology to Giani Raghbir Singh on July 1. In the letter, they had apologised for being part of the SAD government (2007-2017) when the top leadership committed several “mistakes” leading to SAD’s debacle in the elections.
In the letter, they had mentioned about the controversial exoneration of the Sirsa dera head, failure to punish the perpetrators of sacrilege instances at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, appointment of controversial cops to top posts and justice not being delivered to the sacrilege victims during the SAD government.
