Split verdict: Uncertainty looms over new HSGMC chief

OF 40 SEATS, INDEPENDENTS HAVE MANAGED TO SECURE 22; JHINDA TAKES BACK RESIGNATION HOURS AFTER QUITTING FROM ASSANDH SEAT

- Pawan Sharma

CHANDIGARH: A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the control of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) after the Sikh community delivered a fractured mandate and independents seized 22 of the 40 seats, leaving the race for running affairs of Sikh shrines wide open.

Meanwhile, in a dramatic turn of events, former president of the HSGMC (ad-hoc) Jagdish Singh Jhinda, leader of the Panthak Dal (Jhinda), on Monday resigned from the HSGMC seat, citing his group's failure to secure a majority in the HSGMC elections held on Sunday.

However, within hours after announcing to resign and reportedly handing over his resignation to Kurukshetra deputy commissioner, Jhinda said that he had withdrawn his resignation after being persuaded by his supporters. His critics dismissed the resignation move as "political drama" to gain sympathy of the independents.

"Submitting the resignation and withdrawing it has been an old and time-tested tactic of Jhinda," said an elected HSGMC member, who has been at the loggerheads with Jhinda in the past over controlling the levers of the HSGMC which will run the affairs of over 50 gurdwaras in Haryana.