CHANDIGARH: The former Punjab home minister and Akali Dal (Longowal) general secretary, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, along with his supporters joined the Akali Dal (Badal) at a function here June 18 in the presence of its president. Prakash Singh Badal, and other senior leaders.
This is yet another blow to the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). comprising six factions that merged on May 1 under the directive of the Akal Takht Jathedar, Prof Manjit Singh. The former advocate general, G.S.Grewal, too deserted the former chief minister, Surjit Singh Bamala’s camp.
Besides, the Akali Dal (Longowal), units of a number of districts also joined the Akali Dal (B). Only the Sangrur district unit of the Akali Dal (Longowal) now remains with Barnala.
Welcoming Capt Singh and his supporters into the party fold Badal said the Akali workers owing allegiance to different factions should join his party which had got the people’s mandate in the recent assembly by elections as also the Parliamentary by election in Jalandhar last year.
Badal reiterated his stand on Panthic unity and described the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), as the party of “presidents sans workers.” He hoped that the workers of these factions would join his party soon.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 24, 1994
