CHANDIGARH: In their tussle for Sikh leadership, the Mann and Badal Akali factions have unitedly walked out of the six members Panthic presidium to settle scores in public, Both parties have been accusing each other of destroying Panthic unity forged on the eve of the February elections which they later boycotted.

In another frontal attack against the Badal Akali Dal, the Mann faction alleged in a statement on Oct.2, that the traditional Akalis’ planned to hold a rally against the death sentence awarded to Sukha and Jinda at Delhi’s Boat Club on October 12 seemingly with government support in a bid to regain lost prestige. Five leaders of the party wanted to know why these Akalis had opposed the suggestion of Simranjit Singh Mann to ‘gherao’ the Supreme Court to protest the death sentence,

Parkash Singh Badal, who has been touring extensively in rural areas of the state to win support for the Boat Club rally, is set to make it a big show like the one he was able to stage in August at the same place,

After having captured the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Board recently, the Badal faction hopes to get backing from the local Sikhs. The Badal faction has been lashing out at Mann for trying to monopolize the Panthic leadership. It has also been questioning the following of Mann among the Sikh masses. The Mann Akali Dal Leaders appreciated the efforts of those who were trying to disturb the meetings of the Badal factions and demanded dissolution of all Akali factions t¢ pave way for unity. The signatories to the statement included Bhai Ram Singh, general secretary, Mohinder Singh Oberai, president Delhi unit and Inder prit Singh Sandhu, a leader of the Rajasthan unit of the party.

Charging the traditional Akali’s with indulging in anti-unity activities, the Mann faction leaders said they (traditional Akalis) had enjoyed the fruits of political power and prospered. They moved now surrounded by guards provided by the government and were backed by official agencies in their efforts to prevent the Panth from uniting.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 16, 1992