M A I N   N E W S

New-look SAD opens door to Hindus
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 16
After prolonged dithering, the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal has opened its door to Hindus to make the organisation an all-inclusive outfit. While restructuring the party, Mr Badal has made wide-ranging changes to give representation to Dalits, women and the youth. It has got the look of a “Punjabi party.”

“By giving enhanced representation and role to Hindus in party affairs, a sincere effort has been made to widen the base of the hierarchical pyramid for greater mass involvement”, said Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, party spokesman.

While Akali stalwarts like Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Capt Kanwaljit Singh and Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder retain their respective positions, the new-look SAD organisation will have as many as 33 Dalits, 18 Hindus, 16 women,, six Muslims and two Christians.

There are seven additions to the apex decision-making body of the party, The political Affairs Committee is headed by the party President Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The additions to the PAC include Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mr Naresh Gujral, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike. Many young faces have found slots in important bodies such as the Working Committee of the party.

For Delhi, two new general secretaries — Mr Sampuran Singh Cheema and Mr Onkar Singh Thapar — have been appointed. Dr Cheema, who released the list of office-bearers, will continue to function also as the party’s press secretary. A significant dimension to the organisational set-up has been provided by the appointment of the youthful Manjinder Singh Kang and Mr Gaganjit Singh Barnala as organisation secretaries.

Political Affairs Committee

Chairman: Parkash Singh Badal. Members — Jagdev Singh Talwandi; Ranjit Singh Brahmpura; Gurdev Singh Badal; Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa; Balwinder Singh Bhundar; Capt Kanwaljit Singh; Charanjit Singh Atwal; Bibi Jagir Kaur; Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar; Tota Singh; Dr Upinderjit Kaur; Harmel Singh Tohra; Nirmal Singh Kahlon; Sewa Singh Sekhwan; Ajit Singh Kohar; Manjit Singh Calcutta; Balbir Singh, ex-MP; Kuldeep Singh Wadala: Sukhbir Singh Badal; Manpreet Singh Badal; Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal; Surjit Singh Rakhra; Naresh Gujral; Sarwan Singh Phillaur; Jagdish Singh Garcha; and Gulzar Singh Ranike.

Office-bearers

Jagdev Singh Talwandi; Inderpal Singh Khalsa, both patrons. President: Parkash Singh Badal; senior vice-presidents: Ranjit Singh Brahampura; Gurdev Singh Badal; and Bhai Manjit Singh. vice-presidents: Avtar Singh Makkar; Amarjit Singh Bhatia; Hari Singh Zira; Gobind Singh Longowal; Vir Singh Lopoke; and Parkash Chand Garg.

Secretary-general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. general secretaries: Balwinder Singh Bhunder; Capt Kanwaljit Singh; Sukhbir Singh Badal; Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal; Amrik Singh Aliwal; Sampuran Singh Cheema; and Onkar Singh Thaper; Secretary and press secretary: Dr Daljit Singh Cheema. Organisaing secretary: Manjinder Singh Kang; Sarbjit Singh Makkar; Jarnail Singh Wahad; and Gaganjit Singh Barnala; Treasurer: Rajanbir Singh.

District presidents

Gurdaspur: Sucha Singh Langah; Amritsar :Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala ; Patti : Adesh Partap Singh Kairon; Jalandhar rural: Ajit Singh Kohar; Jalandhar urban; Gurcharan Singh Channi; Kapurthala: Raghbir Singh; Hoshiarpur: Surinder Singh Thekedar; Ludhiana: Heera Singh Gabria; Ferozepore: Janmeja Singh Sekhon; Bathinda; Sikandar Singh Maluka; Sangrur: Rajinder Singh Kanjla; Mansa: Harbant Singh Dattewas; Rajasthan: Surjit Singh Kang; Delhi: Avtar Singh Hit; and Uttaranchal: Harbhajan Singh Cheema.

Working Committee

Bibi Jagir Kaur; Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar ; Dr Upinderjit Kaur ; Tota Singh; Ajit Singh Kohar; Manjit Singh Calcutta; Nirmal Singh Kahlon; Sewa Singh Sekhwan: Harmail Singh Tohra; Kuldeep Singh Wadala; Balbir Singh, ex-M.P; Manpreet Singh Badal; Surjit Singh Rakhra; Naresh Gujral; Sarwan Singh Phillaur; Jagdish Singh Garcha; Gulzar Singh Ranike; Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke: Raminder Singh Bularia: Pritam Singh Basti-Mithu; Varinder Singh Bajwa : Kabal Singh ; Natha Singh Dalam ;Capt Balbir Singh Bath; Munawar Masih; Bibi Satwant Kaur Sandhu; Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal; Ujjagar Singh Wadali; Raja Narinder Singh; Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur; Kashmir Singh Mavi: Pandit Tarlochan Dev; Labh Singh Bajigar: Surjit Singh Kohli; Surinder Singh, president, PSEB Employees Union; Nusrat Ikram Khan; Gopal Singh Jawanda; Gurbachan Singh Bachi; Ranjit Singh Ballian; Chiranji Lal Garg; Amarjit Singh Sidhu; Zora Singh Mann ; Paramjit Singh Guru Harsahai; Bibi Shawinder Kaur Johal; Nidharak Singh Brar; Tarsem Singh Rattia; Gurcharan Singh Grewal, president, SSF (Mehta); Bhag Singh Mallha; Balwinder Singh Bains; Sant Jagjit Singh Lopo; Paramjit Singh Sidhwan; Harish Dhanda, advocate; Harbhajan Singh Cheema; Raghujit Singh Virk; Surjit Singh Kang; and Vijay Danav.

Permanent special invitees

Subedar Sarup Singh Saini; Jodh Singh; Pritam Singh Kaunta: Arvind Julka; Rajmohinder Singh Majitha; Virsa Singh Valtoha : Hardalbir Singh Shah; Malkiat Singh; Dr Dalbir Singh Verka; Gurpartap Singh Palasaur; Gurmeet Singh Daduwal; Surjit Singh Cheema; Gurbachan Singh Dhiman ; Swaran Singh Cheema Kapurthala; Sarwan Singh Kular; Balbir Singh Miani; Sohan Singh Thandal; Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh; Desh Raj Dhugga; Bhagwant Singh Kurala; Mohinder Singh Hussainpur; Jatinder Singh Kariha; Resham Singh Thiara; Hardev Singh Kahma; Chaudhary Mohan Lal; Pritam Singh Sallomajra; Tara Singh Ladal; Didar Singh Bhatti; Randhir Singh Cheema; Kirpal Singh Libra; Sawaran Singh Chanarthal; Zora Singh Gill; Ranjit Singh Libra; Joginder Singh Panjrath; Giani Raghbir Singh Jakhepal ; Balbir Singh Ghunus; Nachhattar Singh Jahangir; Sukhdev Singh; Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh; Chatin Singh Samaon; Jaswant Singh Phaffre Bhai Ke ; Ms Gurdial Kaur Mallhan; Bhai Harnirpal Singh Kuku; Jabarjang Singh; Dayal Singh Koilianwali ; Suba Singh Dabwali; Gurtej Singh Balluana; Jaspal Singh Ranian; Tejinder Singh Rampur; Kirpal Singh Khirnia; Jagjivan Pal Singh Gill; Bachan Singh Cheema ;Bibi Rajinder Kaur Bulara; Jagdev Singh Tajpuri; Lakhmir Singh Kalalmajra; Santa Singh Umaidpur; Harsurinder Singh Gill; Harcharan Singh Alipur; Joginder Singh Aherwan (Haryana); Baldev Singh Kaimpur; Surjit Singh Niddar; and Kartar Singh Takkar.

Political Advisers

Rajinder Singh Mehta ; Dr Kiranjot Kaur; Surjit Singh Minhas; Principal Inderjit Singh: Dalbir Singh Mahal, advocate; Harjinder Singh Dhami; Jaswinder Singh Parmar: Sukhdev Singh Bhaur; Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu; Ramesh Singla Nabha; Jagjit Singh Sidhu; Sukhdeep Singh Bhinder, advocate; Bhai Devinder Singh; Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, MP; Mohinder Singh Romana; Dalip Singh; Dalip Singh Pandhi; Kuldeep Singh Moga; and Darshan Kumar Arora.