Akali Dal can contest bypoll, not Sukhbir, says Takht Jathedar

Even though the core committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal has announced not to contest bypoll to four Assembly constituencies as party president Sukhbir Singh Badal failed to get any relief from Akal Takht, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Thursday said that the SAD could contest the bypoll.

Case pending

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There is no restriction on the party to contest the poll. The bar was only for SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal as he was declared ‘tankhaiya’. He cannot be permitted to take part in any political activity till the decision on Sukhbir’s case is pending before five high priests. — Giani Raghbir Singh, Akal Takht jathedar

“There is no restriction on the party to contest the elections. It was only for SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal as he was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct),” said the Akal Takht Jathedar in a video message here.

He said he cannot be permitted to take part in any political activity till the decision on Sukhbir’s case was pending before five high priests. SAD can contest the upcoming bypoll like any other political party, he said.

On August 30, the Sikh high priests headed by Akal Takht Jathedar had declared Sukhbir Badal ‘tankhaiya’ for religious misconduct for controversial decisions taken during the party regime between 2007-17.

A party delegation led by working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder had approached the Jathedar seeking permission for contesting the bypoll under his leadership. However, the Jathedar yesterday said that he cannot participate in any political activity till ‘tankhah’ was pronounced upon him and he complied with it.