SAD rebels to petition EC for rights over party name, ‘scales’ symbol; legal panel formed to steer claim, push for SGPC polls

CHANDIGARH: The rebel Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faction led by former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, in its first meeting here on Friday, decided to form a committee of legal experts to explore avenues for ensuring their faction gets SAD name and symbol.

To be led by former MLA Justice Nirmal Singh (retd), the committee will include legal luminaries, advocates, and some party leaders, said Giani Harpreet after the meeting. "We plan to approach the Election Commission at the earliest," said a rebel group member who attended the meeting in the group's Chandigarh office in Industrial Area.Justice Nirmal Singh said they will try to stake claim to the symbol of 'scales' and the name SAD, which is already registered.

After his election as president of the faction on Monday, Giani Harpreet declared the party would shortly initiate the process to claim the SAD office and election symbol. The rebel group member said it was also decided in the meeting to approach the Centre and Punjab govt in connection with pending elections of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).The extended tenure of Justice S S Saron (retd), who was appointed by the Centre as chief commissioner, gurdwara elections in Oct 2020, ended on June 30, as he had attained the age of 70.

It was also decided in the meeting that another committee would be formed, and it would be led by Iqbal Singh Jhundan, one of the members of the five-member panel which carried out the membership exercise. This committee will work out "the political agenda" of the new faction.Former SGPC president Jagir Kaur has been tasked with putting in place the organisational setup of the women's wing of the faction. The meeting also deliberated on the election of the district and circle presidents and aimed to complete the process by the end of Aug or the start of Sept, said a leader. "The party will observe Sant Harchand Singh Longowal's death anniversary on Aug 20, for which leaders, primarily from Sangrur and Patiala districts, have been asked to make preparations," said the leader.Talking to media after the meeting, Giani Harpreet Singh said they may do it "not once but hundred times" and "we are ready to go to jail".