For the first time ever, the Sant Samaj will be contesting on a sizable number of seats in the SGPC elections, as the ruling SAD has forged an alliance with it and allotted it 30 out of the total 170.
Sant Smaj
SAD secretary Daljeet Singh Cheema confirmed the development, stating that the SAD had retained 140 seats. This has come as a major boost to the Sant Samaj, which was part of the Panthic Morcha in the 2004 SGPC elections. Samaj head Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi had also led the Panthic Morcha against the SAD last time.
Former Akal Takht Jathedar Singh Sahib Bhai Jasvir Singh, who held parleys with the SAD on behalf of the Sant Samaj, said, “We had contested the SGPC polls in the 1970s last time when Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was heading the Damdami Taksal and had even won a few seats. However, this is the first time that we would be fielding so many candidates.”
He said they would play the role of a watchdog in the SGPC and ensure that the Sikh history and traditions are upheld. He said they would support the SAD candidates on the seats which they are not contesting. However, he made it clear that they would not support any candidate who is a ‘patit’ (apostate).
The Sant Samaj also managed to get Sirhind constituency from where the SGPC executive member from SAD, Karnail Singh Panjoli, got elected last time. The Samaj is fielding Gurpreet Singh Randhawa, son of its vice-president Baba Hari Singh Randhawa, from Sirhind.
News Source: The Tribune
