Latest news with #Badal-led
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Harpreet in saddle, rebel Akali faction faces Tarn Taran, SGPC challenge
Amritsar: With Giani Harpreet Singh in the saddle, the latest rebel faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will face two challenges in the foreseeable future— the Tarn Taran assembly seat bypoll and elections to the cash-rich Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD has already announced Principal Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa as its candidate from Tarn Taran. With this, Badal is hoping to have a head start over others in the electoral contest. However, the rebel group could divide Panthic votes in the bypoll, especially due to Giani Harpreet Singh's background as a former jathedar of Akal Takht. "The division of votes could pose a serious challenge to the Badal-led SAD," said Ravinder Singh, an Amritsar resident who follows Panthic politics closely. "The Harpreet Singh-led faction could benefit from its stronger standing in religious circles." The rebel SAD faction is yet to announce if it will contest the byelection. When contacted, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, who is a key figure in the rebel Akali camp, said, "The party president will take the final decision." Echoing this, rebel Akali delegate Jasbir Ghumman said the faction president was yet to form athe core committee and executive body. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo "Only then will these decisions be made," said Ghumman. Sikh scholar Ravinder Singh said SGPC elections will be the real litmus test for the breakaway faction. The Union home ministry recently chose not to extend the term of Justice S S Saron (retd), who was serving as the chief commissioner for Gurdwara elections. The delay in announcing SGPC elections is seen by many as a strategic move, especially in the wake of the rising influence of radical Sikh figures like Amritpal Singh. "After Amritpal's elevation, there was concern that Khalistani-leaning elements might gain control of SGPC," he said. Ravinder Singh added the central govt may be waiting to assess the influence of the rebel faction in Punjab's rural belt. "A clearer picture may prompt Centre to schedule SGPC elections before the 2027 assembly polls," Ravinder said. Ghuman added the rebel group will set up its head office in Amritsar, with a sub-office in Chandigarh. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Will file criminal complaint against breakaway faction for misusing party name: Badal-led SAD
The Akal Takht-appointed committee held the delegate session of the breakaway group of the SAD at Gurdwara Burj Akali Phoola Singh in Amritsar on Monday. The party's statement came a day after former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh was unanimously elected as the president of the SAD's breakaway faction in a meeting of the delegate session held in Amritsar. Chandigarh, Aug 12 (PTI) Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal Tuesday warned that it would file a criminal complaint against leaders of the breakaway faction for trying to misappropriate the name of the party, saying the SAD is a registered and recognized party under the Election Commission's 1996 notification. The rebel Akali leaders called their faction as the 'real' SAD and dubbed the Badal-led outfit as the 'Bhagora dal', which defied the Akal Takht's directive of reviving the SAD on December 2, 2024. When asked about the name of the faction, Giani Harpreet Singh had said that it would be the Shiromani Akali Dal. He had also said that they would claim the SAD election symbol and the party office. Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, Badal-led SAD's senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema called the breakaway faction 'Vakhra Chulha' party and asked them not to try to 'deceive' Punjabis by making false claims. 'At present 100 per cent delegates of the Shiromani Akali Dal are with the party,' he said. Stating that all delegates of the SAD were elected after a due election following the end of the term of the previous working committee, Cheema said the members of the 'Vakhra Chulha' had not participated in the membership drive. He went on to say that all members of the SAD had taken membership of the party after submitting a membership fee of Rs 10 which was applicable for five years. 'The separate group did not conduct a membership drive as per the constitution of the party which stipulates that every member has to pay a fee of Rs 10. Therefore, they have no right to call their party meeting a delegate session of the SAD and can be proceeded against for indulging in cheating and forgery,' he said. He also termed the move as 'illegal, unconstitutional and immoral' and said the SAD was consulting legal experts in order to file a formal criminal complaint in this regard. Daljit Cheema also took on Giani Harpreet Singh for 'violating' the 'hukamnama' of the Akal Takht Sahib issued on December 2, 2024, stating the separate group should close its 'shop' and merge with the SAD in 'Panthic' interest. Cheema said instead of doing this, Giani Harpreet Singh had gone ahead to 'open a new shop'. 'It is extremely unfortunate and unbecoming that a person who has served as the Jathedar of the apex Sikh institution did not follow the directives written by himself,' he said. The SAD leader also urged the media to act responsibly and accord due respect to democratic institutions. Asserting that it was blatantly wrong to refer to Giani Harpreet Singh as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Cheema said this had sent confusing signals in the public. On the withdrawal of the land pooling policy by the AAP government after mounting pressure from farmer bodies and opposition parties, the SAD thanked people for giving enormous support to the SAD's grassroot-level agitation to defeat AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's 'conspiracy' to acquire 65,000 acres of fertile land. It announced that the party would offer thanksgiving at the Akal Takht on August 31 under the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal. PTI CHS KVK KVK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Giani Harpreet is head of SAD's breakaway faction
Former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh was unanimously elected as the president of the breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a meeting of the delegate session held in Amritsar on Monday, a move that formalised another split in the 104-year-old 'panthic' party. Giani Harpreet Singh, along with other members of the breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal, in Amritsar on Monday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT) Bibi Satwant Kaur was elected as chairperson of the 'panthic' council of the faction. The Akal Takht-appointed committee held the delegate session of the breakaway group of the SAD at Gurdwara Burj Akali Phoola Singh in Amritsar. More than 500 delegates attended the meeting. Calling their faction as the 'real' SAD, the rebel Akali leaders dubbed the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led outfit as the 'bhagora dal', which defied the Akal Takht's directive of reviving the SAD on December 2, 2024. The fresh development is being seen as an open challenge to the authority of Sukhir whose leadership, these dissidents claim, has plunged the Akali Dal into a crisis. Former SGPC chiefs Bibi Jagir Kaur and Gobind Singh Longowal, along with Prem Singh Chandumajra, Parminder Dhindsa, Manpreet Singh Ayali and Surjit Singh Rakhra, were present, sending a clear message the breakaway group has their backing. When asked about the name of the faction, Giani Harpreet Singh said it would be the Shiromani Akali Dal. Asked whether they would get it registered with the Election Commission, he said, 'We will make every possible effort. If any need arises to move any court, then we will see it.' Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, one of the descendants of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak and attended the meeting as a special invitee, proposed the name of Giani Harpreet Singh for president's post. All delegates supported the proposal by raising their hands. The proposal was first endorsed by ex-SGPC chief Longowal and then seconded by Akali leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur. To counter the 'degradation caused by political interference' in Sikh institutions, the panthic council was constituted, which will comprise the office-bearers and dedicated Sikh thinkers. 'The council will work for unity among the Sikh organisations and coordination. The party leadership will take decisions with consent of this council. The party will also revive the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF),' he said. 'Coming to power is not the sole motive of the party. We want to serve the people and panth,' Giani Harpreet Singh said, adding, 'I will never contest any election in my life whether I stay president or not'. Lashing out at the Badal-led party, he said, 'I am very thankful to Sukhbir and his associates that they removed me in such an insulting manner. Had I been not removed, I would have preferred to serve at the Takht and not become president of the Akali Dal'. Giani Harpreet Singh, the former jathedar of the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, was part of the Sikh clergy that had declared Sukhbir and other Akali leader as 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) on December 2, 2024. In February, the SGPC had dismissed Giani Harpreet Singh as the jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. Earlier, Harpreet had opted out of the race for the post of president. But he was later persuaded to accept the proposal for becoming the president. Kaur is the daughter of the former president of the All India Sikh Students Federation, Amrik Singh, who was killed in Operation Bluestar. The Akal Takht, in its edict, formed a seven-member panel to start a membership drive and hold elections for the post of SAD president and office bearers within six months. A panel comprising SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, Iqbal Singh Jhoonda, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umaidpuri and Satwant Kaur was entrusted with this responsibility. The Sukhbir camp, however, initiated its own recruitment drive, citing legalities, a move termed as a violation of the Takht's decree. Showing loyalty to the Sukhbir camp, Dhami and Badungar left the panel following which then Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh issued fresh directions to the Takht-appointed panel in February to start a recruitment drive. On April 12, Badal returned to the helm of the SAD with his unanimous election as president of the party. The Akal Takht-appointed committee, however, started a parallel membership drive in March. After completion of the drive, they held the delegate session. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann said the SAD will see more splits. 'Soon, there will be more presidents in the Akali Dal. Uncertainty prevails over the party's future,' he said.
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Harpreet is first SC prez of reorganised SAD
1 2 Amritsar/Jalandhar: In a historic shift in Punjab's political landscape, Giani Harpreet Singh emerged as the first president of the reorganised Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — and notably, the first person from a Scheduled Caste background to hold this position. His elevation came at a time of deepening fissures within the traditional SAD, led by Sukhbir Singh Badal . Harpreet Singh's entry into political leadership followed a series of tumultuous events. On Dec 19, 2024, he was barred from performing his duties as the acting jathedar of the Akal Takht by the executive committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). In response to a question posed shortly after that decision, Harpreet Singh hinted at a political future, saying he would consider taking up leadership if given the opportunity. Known for his outspoken stance against certain leaders within the Badal-led SAD, Harpreet Singh has not shied away from controversy. He publicly accused prominent SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha of allegedly causing internal divisions. He had also claimed that he faced personal threats — including abduction threats to his daughters — and caste-based harassment. Harpreet also claimed he was being targeted for his perceived proximity to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS), allegations that further deepened the political divide. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Tensions escalated on Oct 15, 2024, when the Sikh high priests issued a directive calling for Valtoha's expulsion from the SAD for 10 years. Before the party could act on this directive, Valtoha tendered his resignation, which was subsequently accepted by SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar. Significantly, Harpreet Singh, now president of SAD, was one of the signatories of the Dec 2, 2024 directives in the capacity of jathedar of Akal Takht, which constituted the seven-member committee — now a five-member committee — to reorganise the SAD. According to the Sikh clergy, the SAD had lost the moral authority to give political lead to the panth due to its 'sins'. The Sikh clergy also declared Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) after Badal, along with other SAD leadership including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and others, and pronounced a religious sentence upon them. Bout within Akali space to get more intense and bitter The Akali crisis, once expected to be resolved with the intervention of Akal Takht, will now be addressed in the people's court with more intensity and bitterness. This follows the formal establishment of a new Akali Dal on Monday, with former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, who also served as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, becoming its President. If this development poses a challenge for Sukhbir Singh Badal and his camp, Giani Harpreet Singh and the other Akali leaders in his camp also face a significant challenge. The real test for both would be to capture the imagination of the Sikh masses, when MP Amritpal Singh's camp has its own support base. The Badals lost considerable ground in the community over the last 10 years, and they have yet to show signs of major recovery. However, this does not mean that Giani Harpreet Singh and his associates can take things for granted. He is on a slippery turf with an equal proportion of opportunities and adversities. Giani Harpreet Singh was a prime target of Sukhbir's camp, especially after the December 2 pronouncement, and he faced numerous personal attacks. Sukhbir is not only facing another faction but also a leader who happens to be his bete noire. While Sukhbir has resources, particularly a well-oiled social media cell, Harpreet Singh, during his tenure as Akal Takht acting Jathedar and then as Damdama Sahib Jathedar, demonstrated the capability of building or countering narratives on crucial occasions. However, his test now is whether he will present his own narrative or merely respond to what Sukhbir's camp throws at him. The RSS-BJP may feature more frequently in their competing narratives. Sukhbir's camp has already alleged that the RSS-BJP were behind attempts to dislodge him, using the 'BJP-agent' label for adversaries in the Sikh political space, including Harpreet Singh. The latter accused the BJP govt of sheltering Sukhbir by not holding SGPC elections. A challenge for both camps is that a major section of Sikh voters did not vote for any other party and would prefer one or the other Akali faction. For many, Congress remained untouchable. However, over the last decade, a significant section of Sikh voters shifted towards the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Badal's rival to lead reconstituted SAD, to retain name, symbol
Amritsar: Former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh unanimously elected as the president of the breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), in Amritsar. (PTI Photo) AMRITSAR/JALADHAR: Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD faced its strongest challenge from a parallel faction Monday as bitter rival and Akal Takht's former acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh was elected president of a reconstituted SAD claiming more than 14 lakh members - deepening the cracks within Punjab's leading Sikh political party. Harpreet said the reorganised SAD, formed by a breakaway faction, would retain the party's name and begin claiming the office and election symbol. It was formed after an Akal Takht directive on Dec 2, 2024, that accused the Badal-led party of losing moral authority to lead the panth and declared Sukhbir "tankhiya", or guilty of religious misconduct. Sukhbir's camp has alleged RSS was behind efforts to unseat him.
