Dhindsa-led Akali faction back in SAD fold
Chandigarh, March 5
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt), led by its president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, merged into the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal went to Dhindsa’s house in Sector 2 here to formally effect the merger.
Unity necessary to strengthen Panth, Punjab
The merger had become a necessity to strengthen the Panth and Punjab. There was an overwhelming feeling among our leaders and workers to merge the party with SAD to effect unity in the Panth. — Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former SAD (Sanyukt) Chief
Ready to apologise to everyone
SAD alone is capable of safeguarding the aspirations of Punjabis. I appeal to all SAD leaders who had left the party on one pretext or another, to rejoin it. I am ready to apologise to everyone. — Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD Chief
Both Badal and Dhindsa said the merger was carried out “to strengthen the Panth and Punjab”. Dhindsa had left SAD in October 2019 over differences with the Akali leadership.
Terming the merger as necessary to bring Punjab “back on the rails”, Dhindsa said: “There was an overwhelming feeling among our leaders and workers to merge the party with SAD to effect unity in the Panth. Moreover, the entire party felt that Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed heartfelt remorse for the cases of sacrilege which had occurred in 2015. Accordingly, I called a meeting of the party’s district presidents yesterday and they gave the go ahead for merger.”
Badal termed it as a “merger of two families”. He appealed Dhindsa to take on responsibility as patron of SAD since he was the senior most Akali leader after the demise of Parkash Singh Badal.
He said Dhindsa, along with senior leaders like Balwinder Singh Bhundar, had built SAD with the late Parkash Singh Badal at great personal cost. He assured all leaders of SAD (Sanyukt) who joined SAD today, including Shiromani Committee members affiliated with the SAD (Sanyukt), of “complete respect and honour”.
He also welcomed former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa into the party fold on the occasion and appreciated his contribution towards the state.
Badal also issued a clarion appeal to all SAD leaders who had left the party on one pretext or another, to rejoin it, saying: “SAD alone is capable of safeguarding the aspirations of Punjabis.” During this appeal, the SAD chief joined his hands and said: “I am ready to apologise to everyone”.
Answering a media query, Badal repeated: “I appeal to Bibi Jagir Kaur ji with folded hands to return back to the party fold.”
Talking to mediapersons, Dhindsa said on his decision: “You saw what happened in the Vidhan Sabha yesterday. Punjabis have never witnessed a Chief Minister behaving in this fashion. The complete breakdown of law and order and discrimination against farmers as well as disadvantaged sections and traders needs to be countered with Akali unity.”
Dhindsa added that he had always treated Sukhbir Badal as his son and had proposed his name to head the SAD.
Senior SAD (Sanyukt) leaders who rejoined the party include Sarwan Singh Philllaur, Parkash Chand Garg, Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, Justice (retd) Nirmal Singh, Sukhdev Singh Sarao, Manjit Singh Dasuha, Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh and SGPC members Jasdev Singh, Rampal Singh, Malkiat Singh and Baldev Singh Chunghan.
