Cheema denies “Operation Lotus” in SGPC elections ; two member SAD team to meet Bibi Jagir Kaur

Cheema denies “Operation Lotus” in SGPC elections; two member SAD team to meet Bibi Jagir Kaur

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema today denies “Operation Lotus” in upcoming SGPC elections after Bibi Jagir Kaur, who has sounded rebellious tones objecting to the system of selecting the SGPC president, activeness of National Commission for Minorities chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura and of former DSGMC president, now BJP sikh face Manjinder Singh Sirsa in Gurudwara and Punjab politics.

Cheema said “former SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur is a senior leader of the party and had remained member of the Core Committee, highest decision taking body, of the party. Moreover, he and senior akali dal leader Surjit Singh Rakhra will meet her personally tomorrow October 30 at her native village Begowal in Kapurthala to discuss the issue of SGPC office bearers election. We will hear her grievances as she is an important part of our family (shiromani akali dal).” He added that “party President Sukhbir Singh Badal has assigned this duty to both of them and they will discuss the issue thread bear with her.”

Bibi Jagir Kaur is staking her claim over the post of SGPC president with the yearly election of the officer bearers scheduled for November 9. She is opposing the ‘lifafa’ culture (the party president naming the SGPC president hours before the election) and is demanding the end of this practice. She is gearing up to contest the election of the committee president against the party’s will.

Another akali dal leader on the condition of anonymity said “ the akali dal leadership is in doldrums about this pressure tactics used of Bibi Jagir kaur. Apprehensions are rife in the political circles that she might switch over to saffron party as Sirsa is playing politics.”

Later, addressing a press conference at Patiala Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and Former Minister  Surjit Singh Rakhra said that notification  for constitution of HSGMC has vindicated stand of the Akali Dal that decision to manage Gurdwara Sahibs were being taken by someone else and Sikhs were never consulted. He also pointed out that the way Baljit Singh Daduwal has opposed the notification shows that even the members of HSGMC have not been consulted before issuing the ordinance.

Shiromani Akali Dal today asked Haryana Government to immediately withdraw notification for constitution of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) and said that Sikhs of Haryana were opposing the composition announced by Khattar Government.

Replying to another question Dr. Cheema condemned suggestion made by AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal to publish pics of Hindu Gods and Goddess on currency and said that people pay obeisance before these Gods and Goddesses at various religious places. He said that God is always god and above everything including currency.  He also said that whatever Kejriwal was doing was aimed at garnering votes  in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections.

Cheema denies “Operation Lotus” in SGPC elections; two member SAD team to meet Bibi Jagir Kaur. On the occasion former Chairman Surjit Singh Ablowal was also present.

What is Operation Lotus?

Operation Lotus refers to “poaching” of MLAs, MPs leaders by using all possible tricks (persuade, bribe, punishment, divide) by the BJP.

October 29,2022