BJP-backed group wins gurdwara polls

In a political development that is likely to have an impact on Delhi politics, the BJP-supported Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has swept the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections, defeating the Congress-backed Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) group.

In a political development that is likely to have an impact on Delhi politics, the BJP-supported Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has swept the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections, defeating the Congress-backed Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) group.

HT Image

SAD (Badal) won 37 of the 46 seats to take control after more than a decade as Manjinder Singh, the party's candidate, defeated SAD (Delhi) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna on Wednesday.

Last year in November, the two Akali factions were involved in a violent clash that left 11 injured.

The DSGMC is a cash-rich body and its president is considered a powerful Sikh leader, who can attract voters in assembly and Parliament elections.

With about 10 lakh Sikh voters in Delhi, the outcome is likely to have an impact on 10-15 seats in the 2013 assembly elections.

"This will impact Congress in the assembly elections," SAD (Badal) Delhi president Manjeet Singh GK said.

Another leader said the Sarnas had protected Congress leaders allegedly involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

However, Mukesh Sharma, parliamentary secretary to CM Sheila Dikshit, said, "The Congress has nothing to do with the results."