Pitfalls of triumph

The resignation of Gurcharan Singh Tohra as president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC on Monday should put an end to the ongoing intra-party tussle in the Shiromani Akali Dal SAD, allowing the Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, to have a complete sway in the state, including the Panthic affairs8217; of Sikhs. But therein lies the danger. Tohra as president of the SGPC for nearly 25 years had a domineering role in Sikh affairs during that period. His resignation a day before the specially requisitioned meeting of the SGPC general house where a no-confidence motion against him was passed by voice vote, undoubtedly leaves Badal without any immediate adversary in the party. Bibi Jagir Kaur, a minister in Badal8217;s Cabinet, has been elected president in place of Tohra but it leaves the Chief Minister more vulnerable politically than ever before. Though this will not be apparent in the coming days of euphoria, it may not be long before the burden of victory starts vexing Badal. Byturning the tables on Tohra, the Badal camp is in the process of wresting control of the powerful SGPC, which looks after a majority of the Sikh religious shrines. This could take an ugly turn since the feud with Bhai Ranjit Singh, the suspended8217; Jathedar of Akal Takht, which was an offshoot of the conflict with Tohra, remains unresolved.

After Tohra fired the first salvo a few months ago demanding that Badal quit the party presidentship to devote more time to governance, the Badal camp had retaliated and issued him a show cause notice. Meanwhile, five of Tohra8217;s supporters had resigned their ministerial berth. Bhai Ranjit Singh had intervened when he asked both sides to hold their guns till the Tercentenary Celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa were over in mid-April. But the Badal camp, which had realised the susceptibility of Tohra in the game of numbers both in the Akali Dal and the SGPC, did not pay heed and continued with their game plan. When Bhai Ranjit Singh tried to chasten some of the Badalsupporters by summoning them before the Akal Takht, he was suspended8217; and Bhai Puran Singh appointed acting Jathedar instead. This matter continues to rankle not only in courts but also in many Sikh minds.

Given his popularity, Badal faces no problem whatsoever from Tohra. However, he will now be called upon to appease a large number of partymen, who helped him neutralise Tohra, which could cause resentment in some quarters. The Tohra camp is now expected to mobilise public opinion by organising public rallies, which will further distract the Badal government, which so far is not credited with any worthwhile governance. This will also lead to political realignments. Tohra, whose expulsion from the party is now a foregone conclusion, may not hesitate to associate himself with leaders of the Third Front, both at the Centre and in the state. This could have a bearing on the next elections. Moreover, with Tohra marginalised, the onus of accomplishment or otherwise of the Akali government in Punjab, will be onBadal from now onwards. But the immediate effect of this deep fissure in the Akali rank and file will be on the Tercentenary Celebrations slated for next month. This extraordinary occasion, which promised to be a benchmark in the history of the region, will now be held under the grim shadow of a divided house.