Disintegrating with little patience, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has finally decided to fortify its fort brick by brick. Passing through its worst ever political crisis and facing rebellion from the party’s old guard, the Akali Dal has decided to strengthen its organizational structure at the grassroots by the end of this month.
The decision, taken during the meeting of party legislators, former MLAs, halqa sewadars’ and district presidents besides the senior party functionaries, came a day after the SAD core group threw the Dhindsa father-son duo out of the party.
SAD core committee on Monday expelled Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and his MLA son Parminder Singh Dhindsa from the party’s primary membership for “anti-party activities” describing it as the “decision of the
masses”.Before Dhindsas, several traditional Akali leaders, including former MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura along with his son and former MLA Ravinder Pal Singh Brahmpura, former MP Ratan Singh Ajnala and his son and former MLA Amarpal Singh Bony Ajnala, and , former Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan were also shown the door for speaking against the Badals. They later floated SAD (Taksali).
The taksali (traditional) Akali leaders challenged the party’s functioning and the leadership of party chief Sukhbir Badal.
While staying within the party, these leaders raised the banner of revolt against the leadership and giving the call for liberating the party from the control of one family.
After getting rid of the rebellious voices within the party, the SAD president Sukhbir Badal wanted to strengthen the party’s organizational structure at the district and circle levels.
The party, in its meeting on Tuesday, decided to complete the entire party organization this month. Sharing details, party senior vice-president and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said that it was decided that the party delegates would start the process of electing the circle as well as district bodies and finish this process within a month. Sukhbir was elected the SAD president for the third time in row on December 14, 2019 — the day the party commemorated its 99th foundation day.
Following which, several other appointments of the office bearers, party’s various wings were also made.
“It’s just about two years for the state elections, and we have to start now to win then, and we will start by restructuring and strengthening the party down from the grassroot level,” a senior Akali leader said adding that proper organizational structure is a must to contest any election.