Dhindsa set to be in SAD fold tomorrow

Chandigarh, March 4

The Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) is set to merge with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday.

Dhindsa has got a clearance from the district unit leaders of the party about re-joining the SAD even as the five-member committee formed by him to advice on the merger is yet to submit its report. Sources said the formal announcement of the merger would be made tomorrow in a joint press conference by SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and ex-MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Tuesday evening.

Dhindsa’s son Parimder Singh, who was Finance Minister with the last SAD-BJP government in 2012-2017, is likely to be cleared soon as SAD candidate from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat.

The two parties had held talks earlier also, but those were part of the possibility of a re-alliance with the SAD and the BJP.

The unity talks had begun on December 24 last year after Sukhbir Badal apologised for all the alleged wrong doings by his party leaders. Dhindsa set up a five-member committee to discuss the unity offer. The committee is yet to submit its reports, sources confirmed to The Tribune.