The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), it seems, is fast disintegrating. Two of its senior and renowned leaders - Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Dr Ratan Singh Ajnala - who raised a banner of revolt against party president Sukhbir Badal and MLA Bikram Majithia, were expelled on Sunday from the party along with their sons, taking the total number of expelled leaders to five.
It may ostensibly be Sukhbir’s victory and an indication of his “might” in the party, but political pundits are viewing it as an indication of political crisis for the State’s “biggest” party, particularly in view of the changing scenario with the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) expelled leaders out and out to woo them.
Earlier, the party had shown the door to its former Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan dubbing him as “a traitor”, and a “rank opportunist”.
The damage the grand old dads of the political party may cause to SAD may actually remain unknown till the nation goes to the poll next year.
The trio of Sekhwan, Ajnala and Brahmpura — SAD’s powerhouse in Majha region — have been vocal about their stand against Sukhbir and Majithia questioning their working style while accusing them of “destroying” the reputation of SAD, Akal Takht and the SGPC.
They, revolting against the party a day after veteran leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa had resigned on September 30, declared that “all was not well within the party”.
The coming months may see them toughening their stands against the two and attacking the party and its leadership with a force the Badals may find tough to deal with.
Brahmpura, who is party’s sitting MP from Khadoor Sahib, had resigned from the party posts of senior vice-president and core committee member in October citing “age and deteriorating health”. He had also confessed that he was unhappy with the pardon to controversial Dera sect head in a blasphemy case and the Bargari sacrilege incidents.
Mincing no words, Brahmpura had also accused the duo of running mafia and managing pardon for Dera chief and Bargari killings. Only recently, Brahmpura had a massive show of strength while attacking Sukhbir-Majithia from left, right and centre for “ruining the party” while turning it into a business company.
Once known as ‘Majhe Da Jarnail’ in the party, Brahmpura had given a call to his supporters and party workers during a rally at historic Chohla Sahib village in Tarn Taran district to free SAD from Sukhbir-Majithia control.