Amritsar, Apr 12 (UNI) Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was unanimously re-elected as President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at the delegates session of the party in Teja Singh Samundri Hall here on Saturday.
Sukhbir Badal’s name was proposed by senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar and was seconded by Paramjit Singh Sarna.
The delegates did not propose any other candidate following which Party's Chief Election Officer Gulzar Singh Raneka proclaimed Badal as the new President of the party amidst thunderous slogans of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”.
The delegates also authorised the President to constitute the party’s new Working Committee.
Addressing the delegates after his election as SAD President, Badal said “I give you my solemn commitment that I will never compromise on any issue which concerns the prestige of the Khalsa Panth, Punjab and the SAD”.
Issuing an impassioned appeal for a broader panthic unity, he called upon all those who may have gone away from SAD out of any grievance to rejoin the Panthic mainstream under the Akali banner, rising above their differences. “We owe this to Khalsa Panth and Punjab.“
Badal also spoke on how the last six months had witnessed a conspiracy to finish the SAD as well as its leadership. He said this conspiracy first started when the SAD left the NDA to express its solidarity with the farmers who were agitating against the three farm bills.
“This conspiracy was accelerated during the last six months. It is unfortunate that when we left the NDA, the Centre decided to bring its stooges to the fore. The managements of Sri Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib Boards were expanded to take them under government control. The centre also took over the DSGMC by inducting its leaders into the BJP besides breaking a new Gurdwara Committee for Haryana”.
The former Deputy Chief Minister said it was most unfortunate that even the decisions of the “Quom” were manipulated by such forces and “even our respected Jathedar Sahiban who should have acted as custodian of Panthic interests chose to play into the hands of these forces. “I congratulate the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for vacating the ‘kabja’ of anti Sikh forces over our Takhts”.
Giving a clarion call to the delegates to prepare for bringing the SAD back to power in 2027, Badal said “once our workers decide to bring the SAD to power it will come about. I on my part assure you that the next SAD government will preside over the eradication of the gangster culture and drug mafia which is being patronised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government”. He also announced that the SAD was committed to all round development.
We will bring back industry in the State. We will ensure all sections of society be it farmers or the weaker sections get their due. I am committed to making Punjab the number one State in the country”.
The new SAD President also thanked outgoing Working President Balwinder Singh Bhundar for his contribution to the party during a critical juncture. He also announced that the ‘Barsi’ of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would be commemorated in Lambi on April 25.
Badal said it would also be marked with Akhand Paath and Bhog ceremony at all district headquarters in Punjab as well as similar programmes in Haryana and Delhi.
UNI GS CS