Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s party all set to merge with Akali Dal

Chandigarh, March 3

The merger of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led SAD (Sanyukt) with SAD looks imminent now with Dhindsa and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal holding a meeting last evening here to iron out all differences and finalise the reunion.

Consequently, Dhindsa has called a meeting of his party office-bearers and district presidents to take the talks further. He told The Tribune that the unity of all Akali factions was imperative to save the state from ‘anti-Punjabi’ forces. The two parties have held talks earlier also.

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

As part of the unity move, Dhindsa’s son Parminder Singh Dhindsa, who was the Finance Minister in the last SAD-BJP government (2012-17) is likely to be the SAD candidate from Sangrur for the Lok Sabha elections. SAD(A) leader Simranjit Singh Mann is the incumbent MP from Sangrur.