Amritsar, November 22
Chief Minister and SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal today announced “poll bonanza” for the SGPC members on the eve of the committee’s election. He announced the state government would provide every committee member with two official gunmen, besides allowing them the use of red beacon on their vehicles keeping in view their “loyalty”.
Addressing the SGPC members at the Teja Singh Samundari Hall in the Golden Temple complex, Badal said they (SGPC members) could get copies of the notification issued by the state government, authorising them to use red beacon atop their vehicles. Sporting red lights on vehicles was considered a status symbol by many, which has nothing to do with “dharm parchar”, the main duty of the SGPC members. Secondly, no SGPC member had sought security cover as they had never faced threat to lives. The SGPC members authorised Badal to nominate president and other office-bearers of the committee today.
By authorising Badal to nominate the next SGPC chief and other office-bearers, the “envelope culture” would continue for the eighth consecutive year.
There are chances of the re-election of Avtar Singh as SGPC chief for the third consecutive year. However, Raghujit Singh Virk, a relative of Badal, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Kirpal Singh Badungar, Bibi Jagir Kaur and kewal Singh Badal are also in the race. SAD’s working president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was main speaker at today’s meeting, is said to be the “final authority” to name the next SGPC chief. The present incumbent, Avtar Singh, was also personal choice of ‘junior’ Badal even earlier.
Meanwhile, opposition members in the SGPC today held a meeting in Jalandhar to draw up next course of action for tomorrow’s election. These members, including from Haryana, authorised senior SGPC member Manjit Singh Calcutta to take a decision after consulting like-minded members.
Talking to The Tribune, Calcutta said it was a matter of great concern the Badal faction had been “imposing” presidents on the SGPC by throwing all democratic norms to the winds. He said the matter would be taken up at the general house meeting tomorrow.
