New Delhi, November 30
In a move to scuttle Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Paramjit Singh Sarna’s move to extend his tenure as the head of the committee, faction ridden Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) rallied to oust him and announced the annual elections for the executive on December 19, a day after he crossed over to Pakistan accompanying the golden palki procession from Delhi to Nankana Sahib.

Taking advantage of the clause in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971, which empowers the President/General Secretary to declare the annual election on his own after the completion of one year term or on a demand by one- thirds of the 51-member DSGMC, the elections were announced today.

DSGMC General Secretary Ravinder Singh Khurana told reporters that :“The term of the present office-bearers was over on November 21 and ideally elections should have been held before this date so that a new team could assume office by November 22.But it was delayed because of the nagar kirtan function.”

He said the elections would be held on December 19, 21 days from now, as stipulated in the Act.

The term of the new executive, if the elections were held, would be less than a year, as the general election to the committee is due in July next.

Sources indicated that the SAD President Prakash Singh Badal himself had a crucial role to play in forging unity amongst different factions of the party’s Delhi unit and Akali Dal (Panthic).

This is an attempt to wrest the control of the Delhi committee, which is the second richest and powerful after the SGPC, from Mr Sarna, former Gurcharan Singh Tohra loyalist, who is now seen to be close to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.