The efforts of the five-member committee to revive the Shiromani Akali Dal have brought a new turn in Punjab politics. As per the orders of the Akal Takht Sahib, this committee is active in establishing a new Akali Dal. Its main target is to win the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections, but at the same time, preparations are underway to make its position stronger in the Vidhan Sabha and Zila Parishad elections.
The five-member committee has reached an agreement with the Waris Punjab and Bhai Ranjit Singh’s organization, with which the new Akali Dal can enter the electoral fray under a common symbol and name. But many challenges are also emerging in this process, including the election for the presidency of the newly formed Akali Dal by the five-member committee, the Tarn Taran by-election and building trust in the Panthic ranks.
The five-member committee, comprising Manpreet Singh Ayali, former MLA Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Jathedar Santa Singh Umaidpuri and Gurpartap Singh Wadala and their associates former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, have started working rapidly for the revival of the Akali Dal. According to information, the committee has agreed to form a joint front with Waris Punjab and Bhai Ranjit Singh’s organization for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections. This agreement was initiated by Jathedar Santa Singh Umaidpuri.
The aim of this joint front is to reduce the influence of the Akali Dal Badal in Sikh politics by uniting the Panthic voters. Meanwhile, the return of former leaders like Rajdev Singh Khalsa has also given rise to new discussions. Rajdev Singh Khalsa, who was earlier associated with Waris Punjab, had recently announced his joining the new Akali Dal, accepting the orders of the Akal Takht Sahib. Surjit Singh Rakhra and Parminder Singh Dhindsa had praised his decision, but many Panthic people are also raising questions about Rajdev Singh’s past dubious political activities that were associated with the Sangh Parivar.
The first big challenge in the formation of the new Akali Dal is the election of the presidency. According to information, several names are in the discussion for the presidency, including former Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, Bibi Satwant Kaur, Jathedar Santa Singh Umaidpuri, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Surjit Singh Rakhra and some other leaders. Out of these, Santa Singh Umaidpuri is being considered the most acceptable candidate, as he only claims the presidency and does not aspire to be the Chief Minister or a candidate for the elections.
However, the participation of leaders like Rajdev Singh Khalsa and the discussions of promoting tainted leaders like Prem Singh Chandumajra have created a problem of trust in the Panthic ranks regarding the five-member recruitment committee. Chandumajra was declared tainted by the Akal Takht, and his possible involvement could raise questions about the Panthic credentials of the new Akali Dal.
First test of fire for the new Akali Dal The upcoming by-election to the Tarn Taran assembly constituency will be the first major test of fire for the new Akali Dal. The constituency is considered to be primarily Sikh and Akali influenced, and the new Akali Dal cannot afford to stay away from this election.
According to information, a five-member committee is considering persuading Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra’s wife Bibi Paramjit Kaur to contest from this seat. Given Bibi Paramjit Kaur’s Panthic credentials and the legacy of Shaheed Jaswant Singh, she could prove to be a strong candidate. However, the strong position of Waris Punjab in this constituency, especially the presence of Bhai Amritpal Singh as a Lok Sabha member, could pose a challenge for the new Akali Dal. Although the SGPC has agreed to the elections, it is not yet clear whether the two parties will come together in the assembly elections.
At the same time, the Akali Dal Badal will also field its candidate from this constituency, making this election the first time that there will be a direct confrontation between the new Akali Dal and the Akali Dal Badal.
With the establishment of the new Akali Dal, the possibilities of a new Panthic front in Punjab are increasing. The campaign of the five-member committee has so far recruited 8.5 lakh workers, which will continue till July 30. This campaign is getting the patronage of the Akal Takht Sahib and the support of the Panthic Sangat. However, this new front will also have to face many challenges. The Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections will also be a big test for the new Akali Dal, as it will have to demonstrate its organizational strength in these elections. At the same time, the presence of the Akali Dal Badal and the criticism of its past policies is both an opportunity and a challenge for the new Akali Dal.
Panthic circles believe that the new Akali Dal has the potential to instill new hope in Panthic politics, but its success will depend on the right choice of presidency, restoration of Panthic reputation and strong performance in the election field. The Tarn Taran by-election and the upcoming local elections will test the real strength of this new Panthic front.
