SAD meet today, likely to take up membership drive issue

Following the Akal Takht’s fresh directions, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) may consider revamping its membership drive pattern, underway since January 20.

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Lately, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had shown concern that the seven-member committee constituted by the five high priests and announced from the Akal Takht’s podium could not be made functional. He had directed the SAD working committee to conduct the membership drive under the supervision of the panel only, while extending a relaxation that this committee could be expanded further for smooth management of the drive.

Statue desecration also on agenda

The SAD has convened a meeting of its working committee at Chandigarh on Friday to discuss the desecration and damage caused to the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Amritsar as well as progress of the party’s membership drive.

The SAD has scheduled a meeting tomorrow at Chandigarh. It is learnt that besides discussion on prevailing state of political affairs, the membership drive management too would be the part of the agenda.

SAD chief spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said, “The meeting has been called to review the ongoing membership drive and its response. Around 22 lakh proformas have been distributed till date and the membership drive would continue till February 20.”

When asked about the stalemate between the dissident Akali leaders and the SAD over the ongoing pattern of the membership drive, he said the issue too would be discussed in the meeting. At present, Akal Takht committee members — Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Santa Singh Umedpuri and even SAD MLA (Dakha) Manpreet Singh Ayali — have kept themselves away from the drive for want of proper implementation of the Akal Takht’s orders.