Splinter Akali factions merge for assembly polls

Ludhiana, Jan 20 (UNI) Leaders of splinter Akali factions, including a few of those expelled from the SAD led by former chief minister Prakash Singh Badal, today joined hands for fighting the February 13 assembly polls in Punjab.

These leaders announced the formation of a new political party which they decided to name the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

''We have named the party as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), as it is the 'real' SAD while the other SAD, led by Mr Badal, does not adhere to the principles of Sikhism'', SAD (Delhi) chief and former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said, addressing a media conference here.

When reporters pointed out that the party led by Mr Badal was recognised by the Election Commission and that another party could not have the same name, Mr Sarna retorted that they would handle this problem, as out faction is the real SAD''.

Besides Mr Sarna, the others who have decided to come together to fight the polls are--former state assembly Speaker and SAD (1920) chief Ravi Inder Singh, former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandik Committee (SGPC) secretaries Manjit Singh Calcutta and Harinder Singh Khalsa, former MP Amrik Singh Aliwal and a few others. Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta and Mr Aliwal were expelled from the SAD led by Mr Badal.

Mr Ravi Inder will be the president of the new SAD, while Mr Aliwal will be the acting president and Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta will be the advisor of the party. Mr Ravi Inder maintained that his Akali faction now stood disolved.

The move by Mr Sarna is apparently being seen as an attempt to weaven away the Sikh voters, particularly of the urban areas, from the Badal faction. Mr Sarna's group, with the 'indirect' support of the Congress, had won the DSGMC polls held last week, defeating the Badal-SAD.

Mr Sarna, who is close to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, has been dubbed a 'Congress agent'' by Mr Badal. On the other hand Mr Sarna has alleged that Mr Badal and his party did not represent the 'true voice of the Sikh community'.

Mr Sarna said that the new party would forge an alliance with the CPI, CPM, the Lok Bhalai Party and the Jan Morcha for the February elections. He said that talks were being held with these parties.

UNI