Unanimity on SGPC chief candidate: Sukhbir

After Sukhbir’s address, former SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar took the dais and said as per tradition, the party head must be entrusted to name anyone for the post, to which the members raised their hands in approval. CM Badal also addressed the members and said there was unanimity in the party on the issue. However, both Badal and Sukhbir later met all the SGPC members individually at the Sikh body headquarters to reiterate that the party head’s decision should be final.

Badal earlier inaugurated the newly-built administrative block of the SGPC in the presence of various party leaders and SGPC functionaries.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar, during his speech, showered praises on the Badal family and hailed them for bringing the party to power in the state.

Reacting to Sukhbir’s maiden speech, an SGPC member not wishing to be named said, “He spoke well. He was addressing the SGPC members for first time and though he was low in tone, his words were clear in their meaning.” After the meeting, both Badal and Sukhbir were tightlipped on who would be the next SGPC chief. Sukhbir said he had discussed the nomination with his party leaders earlier and SGPC members today and they had been unanimous on one name, which would be disclosed tomorrow. Regarding, the Delhi elections, he said the SAD-BJP alliance will rout the Congress. He also termed Rahul Gandhi’s comments on 1984 riots as a “drama”. The old style to put the name of the new chief in a sealed envelope, to be opened by an SGPC member during the meeting, would once again be adopted.

Makkar leads race
Though there are five-six names doing the rounds for the coveted post, incumbent chief Avtar Singh Makkar seems to be leading the race for another chance in office. Makkar had developed some differences with Sukhbir, especially during the canvassing for Delhi Assembly polls recently, but he remains the choice of Parkash Singh Badal. Badal also does not want any major reshuffle at this time, when the party is preparing for the upcoming parliamentary polls.