Akal Takth’s 7-member panel meets for first time, puts SAD(B) in a fix over membership drive

Dhami added that the committee had decided to invite Balwinder Singh Bhunder, the working president of SAD (B), to the next meeting on February 11 at Bahadurgarh, Patiala, to discuss the issue.

The much-delayed meeting of the seven-member committee at Bahadurgarh in Patiala comes days after the SAD (B) began its membership drive last month. At the time, SAD (B) had claimed that it had persuaded Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to let the party’s working committee manage the membership drive. However, the Jathedar had urged the party to implement the religious body’s December 2 edict and ensure that the drive was conducted by the seven-member panel. The committee is yet to be incorporated by the party due to potential legal challenges if a religious body’s directive is applied to a political party.

“Today’s meeting has been held in a good environment. All have given their suggestions. Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar had directed on December 2 to all the factions to end their ego and sit together. I want to say that all leaders of Akali Dal should come together in these difficult times. All the leaders are welcome. All should become part of Akali Dal so that the community grows stronger,” Dhami said after the meeting.

On Tuesday, apart from Dhami, SAD (B) MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Santa Singh Umaidpur and former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Bhandungar attended the meeting. Satwant Kaur did not participate.

None of the six members who attended the meeting on Tuesday, except Dhami, had participated in the SAD(B)’s membership drive as they wanted the party to follow the directives of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Dhami attended SAD(B) meetings but did not comment on the SAD(B)’s ongoing membership drive.