The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) held a crucial meeting here on Tuesday where they discussed the way forward for the party, including a new leadership. Several senior leaders were in attendance including Sikandar Singh Maluka, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Bibi Jagir Kaur and Prem Singh Chandumajra. The absentees were reportedly holding another meeting in Jalandhar as well.
Prem Singh Chandumajra informed that today there was a serious discussion on why the Akali Dal has become so weak. Addressing the media, Prem Singh Chandumajra said their party had come from "arsh" to "farsh". He further added that changes in the party are necessary today to bring it back to its old form.
Chandumajra said that all the Akali leaders will bow their heads at the Sri Akal Takht Sahib on July 1, and start the ‘SAD bachao’ wave. He also appeal to party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to not to ignore the sentiments of the workers, but to understand them. The party will take a decision after voting."Intellectuals will be roped in. A new leader will be chosen to head the party. Sukhbir Badal must listen to the people's verdict" Chandumajra said. It is pertinent to note that a few days ago, there were calls to replace party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, the matter which has now once again gained momentum.
According to the information recieved, the meeting lasted for about five hours and a resolution was finalised. The leaders said that the level of ‘Akali Dal’ has fallen from 2017 to 2024. this is a matter of concern. Along with this, Chandumajra has appealed to party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to keep the spirit of sacrifice high on that date.
The attendees at the SAD leader’s meeting include Sikandar Singh Maluka, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Kiranjot Kaur, Bhai Manjit Singh, Surinder Singh Bhullewal Rathan, Gurpartap Wadala, Charanjit Brar, Harinder Pal Singh Tohra, Gaganjit Singh Barnala, Paramjit Kaur Landran, BB Dhaliwal Parminder Dhindsa, Balbir Singh Ghons, Randhir Singh Rakhra, Giani Harpreet Singh, Suchha Singh Chotepur, Karnail Singh Panjoli, Sarwan Singh Phillaur among others.
Badal had accused BJP of weakening the party
After the defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, Shiromani Akali Dal had called an important meeting in Chandigarh chaired by party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. In that meeting, Badal praised the decision of not forming an alliance with BJP. In this meeting of Akali Dal, the district presidents of the party alleged that the government is hatching conspiracies to make the ‘Panth’ and Punjab leaderless and wayward.