Taksalis woo Dhindsa

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 7

Fuelling speculation of a new political combination, rebel Akali leaders Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Sewa Singh Sidhwan met Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa here on Saturday to invite the latter to functions to mark the 99th foundation day of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

Sources said Brahmpura and Sidhwan wanted Dhindsa to join their function instead of the ones planned by the Badal family-led SAD. The rebel Akalis had formed SAD (Taksali) last year before the Lok Sabha elections, claiming they were the “real” Akali Dal.

Dhindsa, who is not having cordial relations with the SAD, confirmed the development, but said he was yet to make up his mind.

Sources in the SAD (Taksali) said they were also trying to rope in two MLAs of the Lok Insaf Party and some rebel Congress and AAP leaders to join their front not for the SAD anniversary function necessarily, but for making a third front.

Dhindsa resigned as head of the SAD legislature party in the Raja Sabha a few months ago. He had also not campaigned for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.