SAD expels Kulwant Singh, aides

Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 16

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) high command today expelled its senior leader Kulwant Singh and his son Sarabjit Singh along with their 10 supporters from the party.

Kulwant Singh, who had fought the Lok Sabha election on Akali Dal ticket from Fatehgarh Sahib constituency last year, is contesting the upcoming Mohali Municipal Corporation poll as an Independent candidate. He along with his son Sarabjit Singh Samana had returned the Akali tickets in protest after their staunch supporters were not accommodated in the SAD-BJP list of candidates for the civic poll.

Besides Kulwant Singh and his son, others expelled from the SAD are Harpal Singh Channa, RP Sharma, Phoolraj Singh, Sukhwinder Singh Barnala, Amrik Singh Tehsildar, Amteshwar Kaur, Manjit Kaur, Parveen Tank, Shavinder Lamba and Nirmal Kaur Dhillon.

Confirming the development, SAD in-charge in Mohali BS Ramoowalia termed the expelled members as “rebels” and said it was the first installment.

“More rebels will be expelled in the second installment,” said Ramoowalia.

Ramoowalia said he had invited Punjab Chief Parliamentary Secretary NK Sharma and Akali leader Bibi Paramjit Kaur Landran to campaign in favour of Akali candidates in the town.

“Sharma and Bibi Landran have been favouring Kulwant Singh and his group members. Now, I have invited them for our campaigning. If they do not turn up, I will recommend action against them to the high command,” said Ramoowalia.

Kulwant Singh, however, refused to comment on the development. “I was expecting this, but I will rather not make any comment on it,” he said.

Independents form Azad Group to fight elections

Several Independent candidates today came together and formed a group under the name “Azad Group” to contest the Mohali MC elections. Most of the group members are supporters of Kulwant Singh. The group was formally formed following a meeting at Sector 70. Kulwant Singh said the group has prepared a manifesto, which would be released by tomorrow afternoon.

“Now, the group members will fight the election like a political party,” said Kulwant Singh, adding that so far 36 Independents had joined the formation.