Shiromani Akali Dal Urges Disconnected Leaders to Rejoin Party
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Synopsis
On March 17, 2023, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) called for unity, inviting estranged leaders to rejoin the party by following the message of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. SAD Working President Balwinder Singh Bhundar emphasized the importance of overcoming differences to strengthen the party and address critical issues facing the community.
Key Takeaways
- Call for unity among estranged leaders
- Emphasis on historical lessons of community strength
- Invitation to participate in membership drive
- Discussion on delimitation impacts with Tamil Nadu CM
- Feedback on new education policy affecting regional languages
- Extended membership slip submission deadline to March 25
Chandigarh, March 17 (NationPress) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) extended an invitation for unity and urged all leaders who have distanced themselves from the party to return by heeding the ‘sandesh’ (message) of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj.
This call was made by SAD Working President Balwinder Singh Bhundar, who spoke to the media after a session of the party’s Parliamentary Board, stating: "I urge all leaders, including those from the five-member Committee, to follow the Akal Takht's directive and work towards unity within the ‘panth’ by reconciling differences to fortify ‘panthic’ forces and counteract entities attempting to undermine the SAD."
Bhundar referenced the Jathedar’s address during Hola Mohalla, commenting: "History shows that the ‘qaum’ has thrived as a unified community. We must draw lessons from our past."
He reiterated his previous invitation to estranged leaders to participate in the party's membership drive.
"I have previously encouraged them to collect membership slips and engage with the membership initiative. I renew this invitation today, urging them to gather membership forms and complete them to elect their preferred delegates during the organizational elections."
He noted that the party would participate in an all-party meeting organized by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on March 22 to deliberate on the delimitation process.
"We believe this exercise may lead to an imbalance, disadvantaging states that have implemented family planning initiatives. This approach contradicts federalism, as states like Uttar Pradesh may see their Lok Sabha seats rise to 150, while states like Punjab and Haryana experience only negligible increases."
Bhundar also shared that the Akali delegation plans to provide feedback on the new education policy, which he argues could negatively impact regional languages.
Additionally, he revealed that the Parliamentary Board and observers assessed the party's membership campaign and opted to extend the deadline for submitting membership slips to March 25.
