Akal Takht Launches ‘Parallel’ Shiromani Akali Dal Enrolment Drive
The Akal Takht has formed a five-member panel to spearhead a parallel enrolment drive for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Unlike earlier considerations to modify the party’s name—either by adding a suffix to “Shiromani Akali Dal” or omitting the word “Shiromani”—the drive has been launched under the original name, "Shiromani Akali Dal."
Key Changes in the Membership Drive
- No Membership Fee: Unlike the SAD leadership, led by working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder, which charged ₹10 per member during its membership drive, this parallel initiative is free of cost.
- Aadhaar Authentication: To ensure transparency, new members are required to provide their Aadhaar card number, which is recorded on their membership slips.
Restructured Panel
Originally formed as a seven-member committee, the panel is now reduced to five members after SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and his predecessor Kirpal Singh Badungar stepped down.
The panel now consists of:
- Gurpartap Singh Wadala
- Manpreet Singh Ayali
- Santa Singh Umaidpuri
- Iqbal Singh Jhunda
- Satwant Kaur
Wadala emphasized that all five members were committed to following the December 2 directives issued by the Akal Takht and that the enrolment drive would be conducted transparently and democratically.
Spiritual Endorsement and First Registration
An ‘ardas’ (prayer) was performed at the Akal Takht by Giani Harpreet Singh, who also became the first registered member under the new enrolment drive. He urged for wider participation, stating that the initiative would strengthen the Panth in the political sphere.
SAD Continues Its Own Membership Drive
In contrast, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which claims to have already enrolled over 22 lakh members, is proceeding with its own membership drive. The party plans to elect district-level delegates across 117 Assembly constituencies and form a general house to select its new president.
Meanwhile, officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has invited the five-member panel for discussions, signaling potential further developments.
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