Big names lose in gurdwara panel polls

The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) elections in Sirsa delivered unexpected results. Big names like Baljit Singh Daduwal and Gurmeet Singh Tilokewala faced defeat, while some members of the ad-hoc committee members of the HSGMC also lost in the polls. On Sunday, the HSGMC elections were held, with voters showing enthusiasm to cast their vote despite cold and foggy weather.

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Polling began at 8 am in 94 booths across nine wards of the district. As the sun came out, voters turnout increased. Long queues of voters were seen at polling centres.

The votes were counted in the evening and the winners from all nine wards were announced. The Sarv Sanjha Panthak Dal’ won in eight wards, while Baljeet Singh Daduwal’s group managed to secure a win only in Ellenabad. The closest contest was in Rania, where Angrej Singh won over Baljinder Singh by margin of just 24 votes. The most decisive win came from Nathusari Chopta Ward, where Prakash Singh Sahuwala of the Sarv Sanjha Panthak Dal defeated Naib Singh by a margin of 2,157 votes, marking the largest victory in Sirsa district.

Several members of the government-backed ad-hoc HSGMC, including Malkeet Singh from Dabwali Ward No. 30 and Parmjeet Singh Makha from Pipli Ward No. 38, suffered defeats.

The election was held peacefully, though there were a few issues. A dispute arose at a booth in Kalanwali, but the police quickly brought the situation under control. Some candidates suffered because they were supported by controversial figures, like the Jagmalwali dera. A total of 71,491 Sikh voters were eligible to vote and 78.55 per cent participated in the poll process by the end of the day.

The highlights:

Ward 30, Dabwali: Kuldeep Singh Jogewala, an independent candidate, won with 4,535 votes, defeating Jasbir Singh Bhati, who polled 2,403 votes.

Ward No. 31, Rania: Angrej Singh won from the Sarv Sanjha Panthak Dal by securing a narrow victory by 24 votes against Baljinder Singh. Angrej Singh garnered 2,187 votes, while Baljinder Singh got 2,163 votes.

Ward No. 32, Ellenabad: Gurpal Singh of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Independent) defeated Harpal Singh Kuttabad of the Sarv Sanjha Panthak Dal by 463 votes. Gurpal Singh received 2,942 votes, while Harpal Singh got 2,479.

Ward No. 33, Sirsa: Gurmej Singh from the Sarv Sanjha Panthak Dal defeated Amandeep Kaur Khalsa, an advocate, by a massive margin of 2,091 votes. Gurmej Singh secured 2,887 votes, while Amandeep Kaur received only 796 votes.

Ward No. 34, Nathusari Chopta: Prakash Singh Sahuwala from the Sarv Sanjha Panthak Dal achieved a resounding victory over Naib Singh, winning by 2,157 votes. Sahuwala received 2,889 votes, while Naib Singh got 732 votes.

Ward No. 35, Kalanwali: In a highly contested ward, independent candidate Binder Singh Kalanwali won with 4,914 votes, defeating former president Baljit Singh Daduwal, who secured 3,147 votes.

Ward No. 36, Rori: Kuldeep Singh Faggu, an independent, won with 5,523 votes, defeating Gurmeet Singh Tilokewala, who received 4,423 votes.

Ward No. 37, Baragudha: Amritpal Singh defeated Sukhpal Singh by 1,567 votes. Amritpal Singh received 3,548 votes, while Sukhpal Singh got 1,981 votes.

Ward No. 38, Pipli: Jagtar Singh from the Mithri group won with 1,014 votes, narrowly beating Tarsem Singh, who secured 974 votes.