Former Akal Takht chief Giani Harpreet Singh steps out of race for president post of new SAD faction
The new faction is being set up by the members of the committee that was originally constituted by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib — which is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs — on December 2, 2024, for the reorganisation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
In a statement on Friday, Giani Harpreet Singh said, 'The five-member committee has scheduled the election meeting for August 11. I have received information that my name and that of Bibi Satwant Kaur Ji — daughter of Amar Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh Ji — are being considered for the presidency of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Some are expressing support for me, and some for Bibi Ji. I have great respect for her. Therefore, I appeal to the committee not to consider my name for the post. I will not be part of the race against Bibi Satwant Kaur.'
Satwant Kaur, who is in her early forties, currently serves as deputy director of 59 SGPC-run schools and is the granddaughter of Giani Kartar Singh Bhindranwale, the 13th chief of the Damdami Taksal.
Satwant Kaur was also one of the seven members of the reorganisation committee set up by Akal Takht Sahib in December 2024. Her speeches have drawn attention in recent months, and despite being an SGPC employee, she has actively participated in the recruitment and mobilisation efforts for the new faction of the Panthic party.
However, names of other individuals are also making rounds for the post of the president.
Meanwhile, sources have indicated that the Akali Dal has approached the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, against the upcoming faction.
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