Amritsar, September 22
SGPC members, belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal authorised Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to finalise the names of the next president, office bearers and executive members of the Shiromani committee at a meeting held here today. They would be elected in the general house, proposed to be held here tomorrow.
The meeting was held under the presidentship of Mr Badal held in the Teja Singh Sammunderi Hall. At least 90 members belonging to the SAD attended the meeting. Out of the total 182 members, including 15 coopted, the SAD has the absolute majority in the general house. The Panthic Morcha has about 24 members while seven members are from Haryana who wanted a separate Shiromani committee for Haryana .
However, according to sources, SGPC members loyal to late Jathedar Gurcharn Singh Tohra would also be duly accommodated in the executive. They include Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, who was architect of the rapprochement between Mr Badal and Jathedar Tohra, Baba Tek Singh and Mr Dhami (all Tohra loyalists). While Mr Calcutta could be elected office bearer, at least three Tohra loyalists could be taken in the executive. Mr Kewal Singh Badal is likely to be appointed junior vice president again. However, the ‘Brahmpura’ faction is likely to be cut to size due to the ‘three months’ mismanagement during the tenure of Mr Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke.
Talking to the press, Mr Badal said he would finalise the name for the coveted post by the evening itself.
Though the senior Panthic leaders urged Mr Badal to nominate some fresh faces to lead the SGPC yet all the four former SGPC presidents are said to be front runner.
