The Akali Dal (P), the Akali dal (A), the BSP and Akali dal (B) rebels have formed a united front to contest the SGPC elections and to oppose the present leadership headed by Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Addressing media persons here today, Sant Ajit Singh, president of the Panthik Dal, said that an accord was reached on 126 of the 170 seats in the state in a marathon 12hour session till 6 a. m. here today. However, the decision on the seats in Sangrur and Gurdaspur districts would be taken tomorrow, he added. The meeting was attended by S. S. Mann, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, Ajit Singh, Kudip Singh Wadala, Avtar Singh Karimpuri, Bhai Manjit Singh, Sucha Singh Chottepur and others. The seat adjustment was unanimous on a 5050 ratio, said Ajit Singh and added that the Mann group would accommodate Wadala and party.
The Panthik Dal will allocate seats to the BSP, to contest elections on Akali Dal symbol. The leaders of these groups said that the campaign for the SGPC polls had already been launched and they had started issuing symbols to the contesting candidates. However, a complete list would be released after tomorrow’s meeting. Asked about the charges leveled against S. S. Mann by Darshan Singh that Mann had reached a secret pact with Tohra, Sant Ajit Singh termed it a ‘misunderstanding’ between the two groups and added that everything had been settled amicably. The new united front was of the opinion that the Badal Tohra nexus, as they call it, could be dislodged only if they unitedly contest the elections. Ajit Singh expressed confidence that the united front of the Akali Dals would secure an absolute majority.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 25, 1996
