JALANDHAR: Mr. Kuldeep Singh ‘Wadala, senior vice-president of the former Badal faction of the Akali Dal, June 24th alleged that there were some vested interests in the Amritsar faction of the Dal who wanted to derail the unity process.
The comments of Wadala came after Sukhjinder Singh of the Amritsar faction said at Chandigarh Friday that the appointment of Parkash Singh Badal as President of the Shiromani Akali Dal should be reviewed. Talking with newsmen here, Wadala said Gurcharan Singh Tohra should clarify whether Sukhjinder Singh still represented him in the 15member committee. He said Sukhjinder Singh was considered close to Tohra.
‘He said the stand taken by Tohra and Sukhjinder Singh on the organizational setup announced by Ashok Singh Bagrian was contradictory. While Tohra had rejected the setup, ‘Sukhjinder Singh had justified it.
Wadala said Sukhjinder Singh had no authority to question the leadership of Badal which had been accepted by the three committees consisting of 15, nine and three members.
The Akali leader said Sukhjinder Singh had masterminded the setup announced by Bagrian with the help of his “friends” in order to restore his lost leadership. After the rejection of the setup by all former groups of Akalis, Sukhjinder Singh wanted the issue referred back to Akal Takht
Wadala reiterated the stand that Akal Takht should not now be involved. The Jathedar had also distanced himself from the process after the unity was achieved under his guidance.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 30, 1995
