Punjab’s second major opposition party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday expelled eight leaders from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect for indulging in anti-party activities. Along with this, seven leaders have also been removed from the post of constituency in-charge. The party has also announced that these vacancies will be filled as soon as possible after taking detailed feedback from party workers. The party’s disciplinary committee headed by senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar took a decision to this effect in a meeting.
The eight senior leaders who were removed from the primary membership of the party include Gurpratap Singh Wadala, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Sikander Singh Maluka, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Surinder Singh Thekedar and Charanjit Singh Brar. All these leaders were rebelling and demanding resignation from party chief Sukhbir Badal. The seven constituencies that fell vacant after the expulsion of constituency in-charges include Nakodar, Bholath, Ghanwar, Sanaur, Samana, Garhshankar and Rajpura.
Balwinder Bhundar said that during the introspection, it was revealed that these eight leaders had actively connived with the enemies of the party to divide the party and weaken it. The senior leader said that it was also felt that these leaders had deliberately damaged the image of the party as part of a larger conspiracy. He said that the decision to expel the leaders was taken after careful deliberation. They were given ample opportunity to discuss their issues in the party forum. In the working committee meeting of June 26, they were also appealed through a resolution to discuss their doubts in the party forum, but they refused to do so.
Bhundar said that instead of exercising restraint, the party leaders have systematically increased the scope of anti-party activities and made it clear that they have no faith in the party organisation. Such acts of indiscipline cannot be tolerated in any way and the Disciplinary Committee has unanimously decided to expel them from the party with immediate effect. The senior leader also made it clear that party discipline is paramount and strict action will be taken against anyone violating it.
