Another jolt to Shiromani Akali Dal as Gidderbaha in-charge Dimpy Dhillon resigns

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha/Muktsar, August 25

In another major setback to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), its Gidderbaha constituency in-charge Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon today left the party along with his younger brother Sandeep Singh Sunny Dhillon and nephew Abhay Dhillon.

While making this announcement at his residence in Gidderbaha, Dimpy said: “I resign from all posts of Akali Dal today. Further decision will be taken after getting suggestions from my supporters. I congratulate them (the Badals), whose family has united. People like us are made to be used. I also became a victim of this.”

Later, in a video on his Facebook page, Dimpy said: “In January, Sukhbir ji told me that Manpreet (Badal) wants to join the SAD. I said it is fine. He asked me if I wanted to do politics or not. This language did hurt me badly. He then asked me to go to Talwandi Sabo, but I said I will sit at home... One day, Biba ji (Harsimrat) announced Sukhbir ji will contest from here. He, however, the next day, told me to contest the election. Meanwhile, Manpreet started his activities here. It created doubt among the public. Manpreet now visits people, but doesn’t ask them to join the BJP... I felt like I was a problem between the two Badal brothers and was feeling suffocated. Our friendship of over 30 years has succumbed to nepotism. I seek pardon if I said something wrong against your (Badal) family.”

His announcement of quitting the party has come just a day before Sukhbir’s scheduled visit to this constituency. Recently, Sukhbir along with Dimpy, travelled across the constituency for four days and his last visit was on Thursday.

Further, Dimpy had on Sunday morning posted a video on his Facebook page, seeking the public support by projecting himself as a SAD ticket aspirant. He had even negated some rumours about him with a speech in presence of Sukhbir on August 18, saying, “I openly say that whatever identity I have today is because of Sukhbir Singh Badal. I will stay with you. This tree will not shake whatever the circumstances are. This tree will keep standing at its place.”

Sources say Dimpy may now join the Aam Aadmi Party as a famous Punjabi singer is said to be working behind the curtains in this regard. There are now chances that someone from the Badal family would contest the Gidderbaha bypoll. Meanwhile, both Dimpy and Sukhbir have called meeting of their supporters at their residences.

In less than a fortnight, this is the second big jolt to the SAD. On August 14, SAD’s Banga MLA Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi had left the party and joined AAP.

Sukhbir’s aide contested twice

Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, a leading transporter and a member of Sukhbir’s kitchen cabinet, unsuccessfully contested Assembly elections from Gidderbaha against PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring in 2017 and 2022. He lost the last election by just 1,349 votes

No plan to import leader for poll: SAD

SAD spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema on Sunday clarified that the party had no intention to bring any leader from any other party as a candidate for the Gidderbaha bypoll. He further appealed to Dimpy to honour the sentiments of the party workers and don’t get misled. While reacting to Dimpy’s statement, Cheema said: “All such speculations are false and baseless. The party had not discussed any such move with anybody. The SAD fully depended on and supported Dimpy for the forthcoming byelections.” Cheema further said that the party president Sukhbir Singh Badal had openly advocated in party meetings that Dimpy was the best candidate from Gidderbaha