Takht nod sought for Sukhbir poll role

A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today approached Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and sought his nod for letting the party contest the upcoming Assembly bypoll under the tutelage of Sukhbir Singh Badal.

On August 30, Sukhbir was pronounced ‘tankhaiah’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for decisions made between 2007 and 2017 when the party was in power in the state.

Aiming revival of the party in the political landscape of Malwa, the delegation comprising SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder, chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler and former ministers Daljit Singh Cheema, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Maheshinder Singh Garewal and Janmeja Singh Sekhon held a closed -door meeting with the Jathedar. Giani Raghbir Singh has, however, reserved his verdict.

Reports suggested that Sukhbir was inclined to contest the bypoll from Gidderbaha, the segment his father and Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal had represented for five consecutive terms from 1969-1985 before shifting to Lambi.

However, there are some constraints for Sukhbir as the Akal Takht has declared him ‘tankhaiah’.

Cheema claimed, “The Badal family has its roots in Gidderbaha. This time too, people of the segment ‘earnestly’ want Sukhbir to represent them.”