<div><font color="Navy">August 6, 2011
SAD set to forge alliance with Sant Samaj
Perneet Singh/TNS
Amritsar, August 6
Even as the ruling SAD and the Sant Samaj are holding talks for forging an alliance in the SGPC elections, there are reports of differences cropping up between the two over candidature of some seats. According to sources, the Sant Samaj, a body of saints belonging to different sects, has reportedly sought the seats of Sirhind and Banga from where SGPC executive member Karnail Singh Panjoli and SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur respectively got elected in the last elections.
Both Panjoli and Bhaur are loyalists of former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra. However, the SAD is averse to the idea as it would send a message to the Tohra loyalists that they are not being taken care of after their leader is gone. Sources said the Sant Samaj intends to field its general secretary Paramjit Singh Maalpur from Banga and its vice-president Baba Hari Singh Randhawa from Sirhind. Sources said Panjoli and Bhaur are being targeted as both of them had opposed the amendments in the Nanakshahi Calendar which were made on the insistence of the Sant Samaj.
The duo had walked out of the SGPC executive meeting after writing a dissenting note against the amendments. Talking to The Tribune, Jasbir Singh Rode, who is holding parleys with the SAD on behalf of the Sant Samaj, said they have demanded 30 seats from the ruling party and have twice met the SAD leadership over the last couple of days. He said they have already got Valtoha seat for their candidate Baba Avtar Singh. He, however, denied that they have sought both Sirhind and Banga seats.
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SAD set to forge alliance with Sant Samaj
Perneet Singh/TNS
Amritsar, August 6
Even as the ruling SAD and the Sant Samaj are holding talks for forging an alliance in the SGPC elections, there are reports of differences cropping up between the two over candidature of some seats. According to sources, the Sant Samaj, a body of saints belonging to different sects, has reportedly sought the seats of Sirhind and Banga from where SGPC executive member Karnail Singh Panjoli and SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur respectively got elected in the last elections.
Both Panjoli and Bhaur are loyalists of former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra. However, the SAD is averse to the idea as it would send a message to the Tohra loyalists that they are not being taken care of after their leader is gone. Sources said the Sant Samaj intends to field its general secretary Paramjit Singh Maalpur from Banga and its vice-president Baba Hari Singh Randhawa from Sirhind. Sources said Panjoli and Bhaur are being targeted as both of them had opposed the amendments in the Nanakshahi Calendar which were made on the insistence of the Sant Samaj.
The duo had walked out of the SGPC executive meeting after writing a dissenting note against the amendments. Talking to The Tribune, Jasbir Singh Rode, who is holding parleys with the SAD on behalf of the Sant Samaj, said they have demanded 30 seats from the ruling party and have twice met the SAD leadership over the last couple of days. He said they have already got Valtoha seat for their candidate Baba Avtar Singh. He, however, denied that they have sought both Sirhind and Banga seats.
More...