Chandigarh: Punjab witnessed a significant change in Panthic politics today after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), formed under the Akali Takht, split into factions. The party’s recruitment committee announced the formation of a new Panthic party, appointing former Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh as its leader.
Bibi Satwant Kaur has been declared chairperson of the Panthic Committee. Earlier, the Akali Takht, along with the rebel group, had set up Panthic stalls at the Burj Akali Baba Phoola Singh Gurdwara to enroll members. Once the membership drive concluded, the announcement of the new president followed.
Sources say the new party, under Giani Harpreet Singh’s leadership, could pose fresh challenges for Sukhbir Badal. The new party is expected to present itself before the Election Commission as the real Shiromani Akali Dal by adopting the SAD constitution, directly challenging the Sukhbir Badal-led faction.
However, SAD (Badal) maintains that linking religion with the constitution is against legal provisions, which could put the new party’s recognition at risk.
