AMRITSAR: New party Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthic), with Sant Ajit Singh as its president, was formed by the Raji Panthic Council here this week.

Darshan Singh Ragi, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, while talking to newsmen inside the building of ‘Akal Takht, currently under construction, said that the need to form new ‘Akali Dal was felt because the traditional Akali Dal. Led by Parkash Singh.

Badal, had sidetracked from the goal of Sikh Panth. Darshan Singh said that Sant Ajit Singh, of Gurdwara Parivar Vichada Sahib in Ropar district, had been unanimously elected president. He was vice president of Shiromani Akali Dal led by Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. Sant Ajit Singh was also present in the press conference. He said that he had accepted the challenge to fight against anti Panthic forces.

Darshan Singh said that Badal Dal had seized to be a representative party of Sikhs. He said that Akali Dal was formed in 1920 with the sole aim of protecting the rights of Sikhs and achieving the political goal of panth. He said that by diverting towards Punjabi at from Sikhism, Badal had betrayed the faith of Sikhs. He said that Badal had committed another blunder by extending support to BJP government. He described BIP as anti-Sikh and an opportunist party. Darshan Singh, in reply to a question said that SAD had acted arbitrarily by extending unconditional support to BJP. He said that they also did not tabor SAD extending support lo any other party forming govern to any other party forming government with the support of Congress party, Darshan Singh said that people of Punjab had given verdict for SAD and not for BJP. Darshan Singh said that Akali Dal (Mann) and Akali Dal (Manjit) were not party of their new Akali Dal. He, however, said that a dialogue was underway with these parties, He said that the party had decided to hold a (today camp at Anandpur Sahib on June 2 and 3 to decide policy program. He was not clear about what Political goal would be fixed by SAD (Panthic). He said that organizational structure of the new party would also be decided during Anandpur Sahib meeting. He did not rule out the possibility of Akali Dal factions led by Mann and Manjit joining SAD (Panthic).

Article extracted from this publication >>  May 29, 1996