AMRITSAR: If the indications given by Bibi Jagir Kaur, former four-time president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), are to be construed, it appears that she is not only ready to regain power in SGPC but has also conceptualized the notion of a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) without the Badal faction.
"Although they have expelled me from SAD, I remain dedicated to the cause of party and actively contribute to its advancement and improvement. I maintain regular communication with numerous SAD leaders, including veteran leaders with the exception of SAD president Sukhbir Badal and four to five more leaders” said Kaur on Friday.
She claimed that her expulsion from SAD by a few senior party leaders was a result of their alleged apprehension regarding the substantial backing she garnered from SGPC members and SAD leaders. "I never engaged in any anti-party activities, nor did I speak against the party or its leaders. Despite this, they expelled me. It's important to note that I never joined any other party or declared my departure from SAD," she stated.
Former cabinet minister in the late Parkash Singh Badal government, Kaur further said that she was not the one to retreat from a challenge, likening her commitment to that of a dedicated athlete who faces the toughness of the game head-on without fleeing from the arena.
Without naming anyone she said, “People have lost faith in them “.
Notably, Kaur was expelled from the SAD in November 2022 for her alleged anti-party activities following which she constituted the Shiromani Akali Panth Board. She had also unsuccessfully contested the last SGPC presidential elections but lost to SAD candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami with 62 votes.
When asked about the ensuing SGPC elections slated for November 8, she said “I will deliberate with my team including SGPC and SAD members including veteran leaders such as Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to decide whom should we field “.
Launching a scathing attack on the present incumbent of SGPC Harjinder Singh Dhami, she alleged that he was constantly under pressure from his ‘seniors’ due to which he couldn’t make independent decisions.
"I know Dhami, he wanted to have SGPC’s own TV channel but why he couldn’t start” she questioned.
She went on to allege that even the appointment of managers in the SGPC was influenced by recommendations from SAD leaders. "Unless the president of SGPC has the freedom to work independently, the staff wouldn't give him due respect, and the president would lose the authority needed to effectively run the SGPC," she opined.
