M A I N   N E W S

Sarna elected DSGMC chief
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 24
The Delhi Shiromani Akali Dal chief, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna was today unanimously elected President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

His election ended days of speculation about former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh voting against the Delhi SAD. The SAD had extended unconditional support to Bhai Ranjit Singh.

The election of Mr Sarna as the DSGMC President is a blow to Mr Parkash Singh Badal’s SAD, as it was optimistic of preventing the Delhi SAD from assuming power despite the electoral verdict clearly in favour of the pro-Tohra faction. The Delhi SAD won 27 of the 46 wards, while the Badal faction could only manage to win 14 seats.

The DSGMC President, Mr Sarna, as a first step announced the formation of a three-member Gurdwara Judicial Board, headed by a retired Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Jaspal Singh. The board would inquire into all irregularities in the DSGMC during the past two years.

He also announced the formation of the autonomous educational council to improve the educational standards of DSGMC-run institutions and the medical council for the management of medical colleges and hospitals.

A former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, said by unanimously electing Mr Sarna as the president of the religious body, the DSGMC members had upheld the verdict of the electorate.

“The electorate in Delhi have rejected the SAD and the party’s corrupt practices. The community wants to unshackle itself from the hold of the SAD in its religious affairs. After the DSGMC poll, the SGPC poll would also witness the rout of the SAD,” Mr Tohra claimed.

Stating that the time had come for rebuilding the “true” Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Tohra called upon all Akalis to attend the Panthic Convention, which would elect its own president, who would guide the community.

Negating the allegations that he had helped the Congress, which resulted in the rout of the SAD in Assembly, civic and panchayat elections, Mr Tohra said the electorate had only reacted against the corrupt practices prevalent during Mr Badal’s term.

The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, stated that the electorate in the Capital had given a clear indication what the Sikh community thought about Mr Badal’s party.

He expressed optimism that the electorate in Punjab would defeat the SAD in the SGPC poll.

Earlier, the DSGMC president announced the names of the office- bearers of the committee. They are Mr Shamsher Singh Sandhu, senior vice-president, Mr Gurcharan Singh, vice president, Mr Bhajan Singh Walia, general secretary and Dr Harmohinder Singh, joint secretary.

Other members of the executive board are Mr Waryam Singh, Mr Manmohan Singh Mohini, Mr Gurmeet Singh Meeta, Mr Satpal Singh, Mr Hardool Singh, Mr Manmohan Singh Kochhar, Mr Avtar Singh, Mr Saran Singh, Mr Bakshish Singh Rohini and Jathedar Surjit Singh Chandni Chowk.