The elections to the 46-member general house of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) have become crucial for Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal .
The SAD is pitted against the Delhi Akali Dal led by Paramjit Singh Sarna, who is also the incumbent DSGMC president.
The Delhi Akali Dal, which is said to have the backing of the Congress, has been dominating the Sikh religio-political affairs for nearly a decade.
The DSGMC elections, scheduled to be held on January 27, assume more importance in view of the fact that the assembly elections in Delhi are due later this year.
If the Delhi Akali Dal manages to stick to power, it would benefit the ruling Congress in the assembly poll.
On the other hand, if the SAD wins the gurdwara elections, it would enhance Badal's stature on home turf.
The DSGMC elections are a challenge for Badal junior as Sarna is entrenched in the Sikh religious politics for a long time. Sources in the SAD said that Badal had been taking care of the election management himself in a bid to unseat Sarna.
The SAD is pitted against the Delhi Akali Dal led by Paramjit Singh Sarna, who is also the incumbent DSGMC president.
The Delhi Akali Dal, which is said to have the backing of the Congress, has been dominating the Sikh religio-political affairs for nearly a decade.
The DSGMC elections, scheduled to be held on January 27, assume more importance in view of the fact that the assembly elections in Delhi are due later this year.
If the Delhi Akali Dal manages to stick to power, it would benefit the ruling Congress in the assembly poll.
On the other hand, if the SAD wins the gurdwara elections, it would enhance Badal's stature on home turf.
The DSGMC elections are a challenge for Badal junior as Sarna is entrenched in the Sikh religious politics for a long time. Sources in the SAD said that Badal had been taking care of the election management himself in a bid to unseat Sarna.
Badal has already proved his capabilities by steering his party to the second consecutive term in Punjab last year.
His strategy had divided or depleted the Congress votes in Punjab. In the same way, he has already started poaching the Delhi Akali Dal leaders.
The SAD president has already announced two lists of candidates for the DSGMC poll. The early declaration of the candidature is likely to give the SAD an edge over the rival party as the nominees have started canvassing for the elections.
Sarna has a tall stature in the Sikh politics and is believed to have the patronage of the Congress. The SAD is supported by its traditional ally, the BJP.
The DSGMC elections are being held following a direction of the Supreme Court.
The Delhi Akali Dal had proposed to amend the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, and wanted direct elections to the post of the president.
The Sheila Dikshit government has approved the amendment and it would be put up in the Delhi Assembly. The SAD had opposed the amendment.
His strategy had divided or depleted the Congress votes in Punjab. In the same way, he has already started poaching the Delhi Akali Dal leaders.
The SAD president has already announced two lists of candidates for the DSGMC poll. The early declaration of the candidature is likely to give the SAD an edge over the rival party as the nominees have started canvassing for the elections.
Sarna has a tall stature in the Sikh politics and is believed to have the patronage of the Congress. The SAD is supported by its traditional ally, the BJP.
The DSGMC elections are being held following a direction of the Supreme Court.
The Delhi Akali Dal had proposed to amend the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, and wanted direct elections to the post of the president.
The Sheila Dikshit government has approved the amendment and it would be put up in the Delhi Assembly. The SAD had opposed the amendment.
with thanks : India Today : LINK
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