A day after the chairman of the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) and local chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Upkar Singh Sandhu, resigned from all his positions and the party, various other Akali workers, including its circle and ward presidents resigned here on Sunday.
Backing Sandhu, those who resigned claimed that they respected the sentiments of the district chief and also were upset with the series of incidents, especially the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The number of those resigning swelled throughout the day and included Paramjit Singh Rinku, general secretary of the local unit and Harwinder Sandhu, circle president, Civil Lines. Various other circle presidents of Akali Dal also resigned on Sunday. It is learnt that total resignations touched to around 50.
The Akali workers, including circle presidents and ward presidents from east constituency, also lauded the services of Upkar Sandhu for the party and added that Sandhu had played a key role in strengthening the party structure in the urban region of Amritsar.
As the day started, there were apprehensions that various Akali councillors were also likely to resign, but no such move was reported till evening. Sources also claimed that the Shiromani Akali Dal was worried over the flurry of resignations. Party sources claimed that looking at the current situation; the local Akali unit was likely to be dissolved.
{{/usCountry}}As the day started, there were apprehensions that various Akali councillors were also likely to resign, but no such move was reported till evening. Sources also claimed that the Shiromani Akali Dal was worried over the flurry of resignations. Party sources claimed that looking at the current situation; the local Akali unit was likely to be dissolved.
{{/usCountry}}Upkar Sandhu, who had resigned from the party, had claimed that he was shocked by the prevailing situation in Punjab, especially the way it was handled. Sandhu had held the Punjab government responsible for the entire situation and demanded that the ‘Panj Pyaras’ suspended by the SGPC chief must be reinstated. Sandhu had said he was extremely suffocated over the entire situation and therefore had decided to quit.
Talking to HT, Harwinder Sandhu, circle president, Civil Lines, said, “Today, we resigned from our positions as well as the party. It is painful to see that entire situation,” he added.