AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Akali Dal led by Parkash Singh Badal split when Bhai Manjit Singh vice president of the party announced to revive his party Shiromani Akali Dal (Manjit) following “Ideological differences” with the party leadership. The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) led by Harminder Singh Gill has also parted away from Akali Dal (Badal) and decided to affiliate with new Akali Dal. Bhai Manjit Singh and Gill at a joint press conference here blamed Parkash Singh Badal for adopting anti Panthic altitude. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Manjit) has decided to field separate candidates for selected Lok Sabha seats in consultation with the Panthic Council. He also announced names of candidates for five seats, They include, Harminder Singh Gill from Tarn Taran. Sarabiit Singh Sohal from Amritsar, Dietee Sinan eae from Hoshiarpur, Piara Singh from Ropar and support will be extended to Akali Dal (Badal) nominee Harinder Singh Khalsa for Bathinda seat.
Bhai Manjit Singh alleged that Badal was running the party as his private limited party and working against the Panthic interests, He said that he had strongly opposed forming an alliance with the BOP and the Bahjan Samaj Pury (BSP) and wanting to form a joint front with the Panthic Council which included Sant Samaj and some other factions of Shiromani Akali Dal. Bhai Manjit Singh further alleged that Badal had deliberately put a weak candidate Major Singh Uboke from ‘Tarn Taran seat from where Surinder Singh Kairon a close relative of Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brariscon lesting. Healleged that Badal is avoiding fielding strong candidate against Brar’s wife for Ferozepur seat, similarly Brar was also not fielding strong candidate against Badal’s son for Paridkot seat.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 3, 1996
