Mann expels Bittu, 13 others from party

Fatehgarh Sahib, Aug 26 (UNI) The Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar) headed by former MP Simranjit Singh Mann today expelled senior vice president Daljit Singh Bittu along with 13 others from the party for violating party discipline.

The expulsions were announced by party chief Simranjit Singh Mann here.

Besides Bittu, the expelled leaders included SGPC member Joga Harcharan Singh Burjhari.

Others who were shown the door were party general secretaries Surinderpal Singh Tharua, Jaswant Singh Ramgarhand Gurvir Singh, propaganda secretary Surinder Singh Kishanpura, organizing secretaries Gursharan Singh Gama and Darshan Singh Jagaram Tirth, working committee members Mandhir Singh Kang, Sarabjit Singh Alal, Harwinder Singh Phagwara, Gurpreet Singh Fazilka and Sukhwinder Singh Fozi and SAD (A) youth wing vice president Jaspal Singh Manjpur.

All the expelled leaders were reportedly close to Mr Bittu.

Mr Mann said the expulsions could not be revoked at any cost. He said besides Mr Bittu if any other leader wished to clarify his position and was ready to work as per the policies of the party, then his expulsion could be taken back.

Mr Mann pointed out that the former senior vice president had challenged the decision of party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) by participating in the activities of Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), which was formed to counter the Dera Sacha Sauda.

UNI