SAD announces closure of membership drive

THE PARTY SAID A TOTAL OF 33 LAKH MEMBERSHIP FORMS HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ITS RANK AND FILE

- Karam Prakash

PATIALA: Giani Harpreet Singh, who was recently sacked by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) from his post of Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar, said on Thursday that it was only a handful of people in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) were challenging the Akal Takht's December 2 decree.

"No Akali worker or leader can even imagine challenging Akal Takht in their dreams. There are only 10 people, two are from New Delhi and eight from Punjab, who are opposing the decree of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs," Giani Harpreet said without naming anyone. He was addressing a gathering at Bhunerheri Gurdwara in Sanaur block of the Patiala district. The event had been organised by SAD rebel leader Prem Singh Chandumajra to felicitate Giani Harpreet, who was removed as Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar by the SGPC executive committee on February 10.