New Delhi, December 2
The annual executive election to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) today came under a cloud with the officiating president ruling the poll call for December 19 as “unconstitutional”.

The DSGMC members and the Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi termed the move as yet another attempt by the SAD (Badal) to garner political mileage at a time when the “historic” “palki (throne)” procession from Delhi to Nankana Sahib was in progress.

Addressing mediapersons Jathedar Baldev Singh, acting president, said the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971, does not confer the powers to the general secretary to declare elections.

“As per the records, and even otherwise no decision in this regard has been taken either by the executive board, president or any other competent authority. It is most surprising that in the absence of any such decision, the general secretary has proposed to convey/circulate a non-existent decision,” he said.

Quoting the Act, Baldev Singh said, “the general secretary is authorised to circulate only those decisions as well as the agenda, which have been decided by the executive board only.” DSGMC General Secretary Ravinder Singh Khurana on Tuesday said the elections would be held on December 19, twenty-one days from now, as stipulated in the Act and the concerned authorities have been informed.

What is interesting is that the Act passed by Parliament is silent on who the conduct of annual executive poll and the regulations framed by the DSGMC for the implementation of the Act, have so far not been approved by Parliament, but it is generally followed as a convention when it suits the ruling or opposing members of the 51-member body.