CHANDIGARH: The Akali Dal (Badal), having resolved to curb dissidence firmly on the eve of the general election to the general house of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sept. 17 served show cause notice on its senior leader Kuldip Singh Wadala for antiparty activities. The party also accepted resignation of another senior leader Sukhjinder Singh from the primary membership of the party. Party president Parkash Bin Badal said that Wadala had been asked to explain his conduct within seven days after which he is likely to be expelled from the primary membership of the party. The resignation of Wadala’t from all party posts has also been accepted. He was the senior vice president.

Sukhjinder Singh has resigned from the primary membership of the party in protest against the allocation of tickets in the SGPC poll. Both these leaders belong to the Doaba region in the state. While making it clear that discipline would be enforced at all costs, the former chief minister also warned the rebels who have filed their nomination papers for the SGPC poll saying such people would have no place in the party. He said in case any leader had some grievances, these would be set right after the election.

Wadala, after returning from his foreign tour, had earlier resigned from all party posts raising some issues iii termed as ideological. One of the major issues he raised was recognition the positive aspects of the militant movement in the state. Wadala discussed these issues at two meetings with Badal. Badal said at both the meetings, the dissident leader accepted the majority view but again backtracked. The party chief also charged Wadala with hobnobbing with the rival Akali factions to up parallel candidates in the 8G poll. Badal said the entire issue to discussed at a meeting of the political affairs committee which decided to be firm in taking action against Wadala. He said no individual was above the party. : He came out strongly against the United Front government and the Congress for “interfering” in the SGPC poll through Akali Dal (Amritsar) led by Simranjit Singh Mann and Akali Dal (Panthic). He alleged the United Front and the Congress were trying to sabotage his party in the SGPC poll. Going a step ahead, he expressed the apprehension that the Congress and the United Front government might try to vitiate the atmosphere in the state by dividing Sikhs and Hindus who had been brought together by Akali Dal (Badal). He said the government could go to any extent even to encourage violence.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 18, 1996

 

Article extracted from this publication >>