Shiromani Akali Dal expels Prem Singh Chandumajra, Bibi Jagir Kaur and 6 other rebel leaders

Chandigarh, July 30

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday expelled eight leaders from the primary membership of the party for indulging in anti-party activities with immediate effect.

It also removed seven leaders as ‘halka incharges’ and announced that these vacancies would be filled soon after taking detailed feedback from party workers.

A decision to this effect was taken by the party’s disciplinary committee headed by senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder at a meeting held here. Other members Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Gulzar Singh Ranike attended the meeting with Ranike joining in telephonically.

The eight senior leaders who have been expelled from the primary membership of the party are Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Sikander Singh Maluka, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Surinder Singh Thekedar and Charanjit Singh Brar.

The seven constituencies which have fallen vacant after the expulsion of their constituency incharges are Nakodar, Bholath, Ghanuar, Sanour, Samana, Garhshankar and Rajpura.

Giving details, Balwinder Bhunder said it was revealed during introspection that these eight leaders had actively colluded with the party’s enemies to create divisions in the party and weaken it. The senior leader said “it was also felt that these leaders have willfully damaged the image of the party as part of a wider conspiracy”.

He said the decision to expel the leaders had been taken after careful consideration. “They were given ample opportunity to discuss their issues in the party forum. The Working Committee meeting of June 26 had also through a resolution appealed to them to discuss their misgivings in the party forum but they refused to do so.”

Bhunder said instead of showing restraint the party leaders increased the scope of their anti-party activities in a planned manner and made it clear that they did not have any faith in the party organisation. “Such acts of indiscipline cannot be tolerated in any manner whatsoever and the disciplinary committee took a unanimous decision to expel them from the party with immediate effect.”

The senior leader also made it clear that party discipline was of paramount importance and that exemplary action would be taken against anyone found to be breaching it.