Akali Dal expels Dhillon, Mann

Tribune News service

Chandigarh, February 7

The SAD today expelled two Congressmen-turned-Akalis Deepinder Singh Dhillon and Harinder Pal Singh Mann for their “anti-party activities”.

Party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said it was found that these leaders did not deserve a place in the party as they were engaged in destabilising it from within in spite of being given prominent posts.

Cheema alleged Dhillon was given the party ticket for parliamentary elections and made chairman of the District Planning Board, Patiala, and party president of Patiala (Rural) unit, but he chose to indulge in anti-party activities. Similarly, Mann was appointed Information Commissioner, he said.

Sources said Dhillon might join the Congress tomorrow. The party leadership is trying to bring back the leaders who had deserted the party in the last elections. “It is a tactical move to bring down the dissident factor,” said a senior Congress leader.