Chandigarh, May 8 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today expelled Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member from this city – Bibi Harjinder Kaur from the primary membership of the party for indulging in anti-party activities with immediate effect.

The party’s secretary general,  Balwinder Singh Bhundur, decided on this action following numerous complaints from the SAD’s Chandigarh unit. They accused Bibi Harjinder Kaur of willfully sabotaging the party in the union territory by unilaterally supporting the candidature of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sanjay Tandon.

The secretary general stated that he had received video evidence of Bibi Harjinder Kaur’s anti-party activities and felt compelled to take this drastic step to send out a clear signal that the SAD would not tolerate such unethical conduct from the SGPC member.

Bhundur said this was not the first time that the SGPC member had gone against the principles of the party. “Earlier also we had received complaints that Bibi Harjinder had compromised with the BJP and had even received important posts in lieu of extending support to the saffron party. However we gave her a long rope in the hope that she would realize her mistakes and conduct and return to the panthic fold wholeheartedly. However this time the SGPC member has crossed a line by openly campaigning for the BJP candidate in Chandigarh.

“In doing so, she has not only defied the party line but also shown disrespect towards the sentiments of Punjabis and the Sikh community. They are deeply aggrieved by the union government’s anti-farmer stance and its refusal to release the Bandi Singhs, who have served life sentences for over 26 to 28 years. It is unbecoming of a senior leader like Bibi Harjinder to be swayed by inducements and betray the core philosophy of her party.”

Bhundur made it clear that the decision to expel Bibi Harjinder Kaur had been taken after due consideration and consultation with the Chandigarh unit of the party. “I have held discussions with the complainants as well as senior office bearers of the Chandigarh unit who have unanimously urged me to take this step in the interest of the party and its supporters in the union territory. I have received reports that the BJP is offering inducements to party leaders to switch sides during the ongoing parliamentary election”.

The SAD leader also appreciated the Chandigarh unit of the party for remaining united as one and said the entire rank and file of the party was with the SAD and had already given the authority to party president Sukhbir Singh Badal to take an appropriate decision on all matters pertaining to the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.