New Delhi, June 24
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, has resigned as in charge of party’s affairs in Delhi after voicing his displeasure over the functioning of the state unit, including its president.
Confirming his resignation, the former Union Minister told The Tribune that he was unhappy with the state of affairs in the party’s Delhi unit and would not like to continue with the present set up as it would not produce positive results for the party.
Mr Dhindsa was conspicious by his absence at the Sikh convention organised by the party’s state unit, which was addressed by SAD president Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.
There were reports that the Lok Sabha MP was being sidelined by the party and his absence at the function held earlier this month was a clear indication of this.
However, Mr Dhindsa stated that he was not in the Capital at that time and there was no question of he being sidelined by the party as he continues to be SAD general secretary.
Sources indicated that the SAD leader was unhappy with the renomination of Mr Avtar Singh Hit as the Delhi unit chief as the party rank and file were against him.
Akali sources said only a handful of members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee representing SAD were followers of the Hit camp and most of the others had deserted him and joined the Inderpal Singh Khalsa camp or had left the party.
Sources close to Mr Dhindsa indicated that he was unhappy with the support extended by SAD to Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna-headed SAD, Delhi, which controls the DSGMC.
Akali leaders said SAD would find it very difficult to put up a good fight in the DSGMC poll scheduled next year as the party organisation in the Capital were in doldrums.
Several Akali leaders have joined the SAD’s Delhi unit headed by Mr Sarna and SAD (Jathedar Santok Singh) led by Manjit Singh Greater Kailash.
