CHANDIGARH: Several SAD leaders on Tuesday announced their unconditional support for the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De in the form of an alliance, a development seen as a rebellion in the Giani Harpreet Singh-led party.
Leaders including Iqbal Singh Gunda declared their support for the Amritpal Singh-led Akali Dal Waris Punjab Di, saying the move was aimed at strengthening “Panthik unity”.
Later, Shiromani Akali Dal expelled Jhunda from the primary membership of the organization for six years due to anti-party activities.
Earlier in the day, in a joint statement, Gunda and Santa Singh Umedpuri said the need now is to firmly follow the Sikh principle of ‘Meri Beri’ and fill this political vacuum so that there is proper leadership in the religious and political spheres.
At the same time, they also appealed to all Panthiya and pro-Punjab organizations to be part of this unity, they said.
They alleged that the parties claiming to represent the Panth have gradually shifted their focus towards coming to power instead of addressing key issues related to Punjab and the Sikh community.
On the occasion, senior leaders of Akali Dal Waris Punjab Di, including Tarsem Singh, MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, were present.
Ayali called on the youth and Panthic-minded people to unite for the future of Punjab, saying that a larger public movement would be launched to raise issues related to Punjab rights, public grievances and Panthic matters.
In violation of party discipline, Gunda had earlier held two meetings alone, during which attempts were made to mislead other leaders and workers and create a rift within the organisation, SAD general secretary Gurpartap Singh Wadala said.
So far, Gunda has held a press conference and announced that he will work with other parties, while the organization has already formed a coordination committee to work for unity with other Panthic groups, and this committee is discharging its responsibilities in an effective manner, he said.
Wadala said that Gunda issued this unity declaration without consulting the Coordination Committee, which seriously undermined the discipline of the organization and its efforts to achieve Pathan unity.
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