The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, May 21, 2003, Chandigarh, India

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AKALI UNITY
Badungar offers to quit
Tribune News Service

SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar addresses the media in Amritsar.
— Photo Sawinder Singh

Amritsar, May 20
Official residence of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti Jathedar, Akal Takht is actively humming with due to unity moves between the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) even as SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar, Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, president SAD (Democratic) and Dal Khalsa leaders held separate closed-door meetings with the Jathedar of Akal Takht.

Mt Jagdev Singh Talwandi, a former SGPC chief and Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, president Youth Akali Dal (Tohra faction) talked to Jathedar Vedanti on telephone to know the developments.

Talking to The Tribune Jathedar Vedanti admitted that he held a meeting with Mr Badungar, however, he refused to divulge details.

However, Mr Wadala and Mr Talwandi reportedly asked Jathedar Vedanti that the unity between Mr Tohra and Mr Badal could not be described as ‘Panthic unity’ they reportedly asked Jathedar Vedanti that he should rather help bring about rapproachement among all factions of the Akali Dal.

The sources said that the letter written by Mr Badal had reached the hands of Jathedar Vedanti who has started discussions with the Sikh scholars on the matter. Jathedar Vedanti is likely to take next step in the coming days. Meanwhile, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, a former SGPC secretary and confidant of Mr Tohra told Jathedar Vedanti that he should make the letter of Mr Badal public to resolve “half of the problem”.

Meanwhile, while supporting the unity moves between the SAD and the SHSAD, Mr Badungar said that he was ready to quit in larger interest of the Sikh Panth. The sources said that the Jathedar did not want to reveal the contents of the letter written by Mr Badal unless it is studied from ‘maryada’ point of view.