SAD expels Bibi Jagir Kaur from party

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday expelled Bibi Jagir Kaur from the party after she failed to appear before its disciplinary committee to explain her decision of contesting the November 9 SGPC presidential poll. The move was announced by the party's disciplinary committee head Sikandar Singh Maluka. The action came after Kaur was adamant about contesting the poll for the post of president of SGPC slated for November 9. The party had given chances to Kaur to reply to a showcause notice issued to her for "anti-party" activities and appear in person at party headquarters by Monday noon. Addressing the media, Maluka said the party had given her chances to explain her position but she failed to respond. Last week, Kaur was suspended from the party after she dug her heels in for contesting the election, against the party's wishes. The SAD had earlier issued a two-day ultimatum to Kaur to stop "anti-party" activities, failing which, it said, strict disciplinary action would be taken against her. But Kaur did not reply to the show cause notice despite the party giving her two opportunities.