131 members support Bibi Jagir Kaur
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Nov 9 — Even as 131 out of total 183 SGPC members at a meeting of the Shiromani Committee today unanimously endorsed the decision of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Bibi Jagir Kaur is all set to be re-elected 35th president of the committee at the annual election slated for tomorrow.

However, it is yet to be confirmed whether, the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) led by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra who has the support of about 45 members and the SAD (Amritsar) led by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann which has seven members in the house would field their candidate or no. However, Mr Mann told The Tribune that the SHSAD and the SAD (Amritsar) would contest for the election of executive members only . He however, said that the final decision for contesting the election of president would be taken at the meeting late in the evening.

The move of the SHSAD to dislodge Bibi Jagir Kaur as President, SGPC is likely to fizzle out as per the present strength of all the factions of the Akali Dal in the SGPC.

In yet another significant move, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Cooperation Minister, who was strongly lobbying for electing his close confident Mr Balbir Singh Naushera Pannua as President of the SGPC while addressing the meeting announced that he had endorsed the decision of Mr Badal for re-electing Bibi Jagir Kaur.

Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, General Secretary, SAD, while speaking on the occasion also emphasised the need for complete unity within the party.

SAD functionaries and several ministers reposed full faith in the leadership of party president Mr Badal on the occasion. A unanimous resolution passed authorised Mr Badal to nominate other office bearers of the SGPC.

Meanwhile, Mr Jasbir Singh Ghuman, General Secretary, SHSAD, has called upon the SGPC members for a conscience vote.

Sukhbir attends SGPC meeting
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Nov 9 — Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Union Minister and son of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal who was keeping a low profile since his defeat in the recently held Lok Sabha election has again become active in state politics. He took keen interest in the SGPC affairs today. He also attended the meeting of SGPC members where senior leaders of the party, including ministers, MLAs, MPs and SGPC members, reposed their full faith in the leadership of Mr Parkash Singh Badal.

Interestingly, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, SAD secretary, pointed out that Mr Jagmit Singh Brar, Congress MP, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra had launched a campaign to defame Mr Badal for promoting his son. He alleged that such allegations were baseless as Mr Tohra had promoted his son-in-law and Mr Ramoowalia and Mr Brar were in politics by virtue of their political background.