Centre, Delhi govt tried to prevent SAD from contesting DSGMC poll: Sukhbir

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 1

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday alleged that the Centre, in connivance with the Delhi government, tried to prevent the SAD from contesting the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) election, but it failed.

Sukhbir was here to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple after recovering from Covid. He will later address the ‘Punjab Mangda Jawab’ rally in Ajnala.

Sukhbir said, “The Covid pandemic has affected humanity and dented global economy. I have also passed through this phase and am fully recovered now. I have come to the Golden Temple to pray for the well-being of all.”

The Delhi Gurdwara Elections department had held the party not eligible to contest the April 25 DSGMC election as it had failed to give an undertaking that it’s a religious party and the symbol ‘bucket’ was frozen pending litigation. 

However, the SAD challenged it in the Delhi High Court and got relief as the court stayed the order issued by the Delhi minister for gurdwara election while allowing the party to use its old reserved symbol ‘bucket’.

Sukhbir alleged that the BJP-led Centre had hatched a conspiracy with Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government, Paramjit Singh Sarna-led SAD (Delhi) and former DSGMC chief Manjit Singh GK to prevent the SAD from contesting the poll.

“By God’s grace, we managed to procure a stay on the issue of election symbol of the SAD, which is the only representative body of Sikhs for over a century. If these people think they are popular why do they feel insecure,” he said.

On the 2022 Assembly election in Punjab, he foresaw bright prospects for the SAD. “We will contest even on those seats from where the BJP used to field their candidates. Most Congress candidates will forfeit their securities,” he said.

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