BATHINDA: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Baldev Singh Chungha, who had stated that chief minister Bhagwant Mann did not seem drunk when he paid obeisance at Takht Damdama Sahib on Baisakhi, has been expelled from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
The party has taken action against Chungha for indulging in anti-party activities and speaking against party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, but sources said the party was angry with Chungha defending the CM, as SAD wanted to take on Mann over supposedly being drunk on Baisakhi.
Chungha is SGPC member from Bhadaur and last year had remained member of SGPC executive committee.
SAD president Sukhbir Badal, while addressing a party conference at Takht Damdama Sahib on April 14, had stated that Mann came drunk to the takht.
Chungha was present in the sanctum sanctorum when Mann paid obeisance and had handed him a siropa (robe of honour). Later, he had said Mann seemed tired but not drunk when he reached Takht Damdama Sahib.
SAD Barnala district president Tek Singh Dhanaula, Bhadaur halqa incharge Satnam Singh Rahi, SGPC member Paramjit Singh Khalsa and party youth wing leader Davinder Singh Bihla on Monday assembled at a gurdwara. They accused Chungha of anti-party activities and announced to expel him from SAD. They said Chungha many days ago had spoken against the party and its president. They said he was asked to clarify his stand, but he did not do it, so the party had taken the step of expelling him.
