SGPC set to elect its next president on Nov 27

GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 21

On November 27, the SGPC’s command would be handed over to its new president, besides electing other office-bearers and the executive body for the next annual term during the general house meeting scheduled at Teja Singh Samundri Hall.

Speculations have started on who could lead the largest Panthic apex body.

With SAD enjoying an undisputed majority in the house, party president Sukhbir Singh Badal would be reserving all rights to take a final call, in accordance with the tradition, after having ‘deliberations’ with the members, a day prior.

Gobind Singh Longowal, the current president, successfully completed his second term while toeing the partyline—be it SAD’s crusade against Congress for alleged distortion of Sikh history text books or lately, his confrontation with Congress again on going solo during 550th Guru Nanak’s anniversary programmes at Sultanpur Lodhi and defending SAD’s interest. A former SAD MLA from Dhuri, Longowal was elected as SGPC president in 2017 and was re-elected in 2018.

Insiders viewed that it would not be exaggerated to say that he could continue for another term too.

However, there have been also voices calling for a change this time. If that is to be believed, two probables—veteran SAD leader Tota Singh and former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, who is also the first woman to hold the reins of Sikh body.

Both the leaders gained prominence of SAD after they were entrusted with the responsibility of conducting SGPC’s maiden move to take out international nagar kirtan from Sri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan that passed through 17 states in India and the Sultanpur Lodhi programmes dedicated to 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev. Both programmes were widely admired and may help SAD in yielding good dividends in polls.

Tota Singh (78), widely known with “Jathedar” prefixed to his name, has been the oldest member of the SGPC, since 1979. In his four decade long religio-politico career, he was the cabinet minister twice during SAD’s regime. Though, he was named in a case pertaining to PSEB recruitment during his tenure as education minister in 2000-2001, Tota Singh was acquitted by a Mohali court in 2018.

He claimed to have never approached on any platform for ‘sifarish’, but was ready to take the reins of SGPC if approached. “I am one among a couple of oldest members of SGPC. Rest had joined in 1996 or afterwards. My long association is enough to guide me in going the right direction in the interest of community,” he said.

Also in the race is former SGPC president and SAD (woman) president Bibi Jagir Kaur (65). She remained president between March 1999 and November 2000, before she resigned amid allegations of her involvement in mysterious death of her daughter. She again headed the SGPC between 2004 and 2005.

Coming out clean in 2018, this three-time MLA and former cabinet minister was keen to occupy the coveted seat again. “I will abide by what ‘Khalsa Panth’ members decide on this issue. I have a vision and experience to run the SGPC affairs in propagating religion and serving for social cause,” she said.