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Mann is Akali Dal
(Amritsar) president again, Prof Jagmohan Singh quits post
WSN
Bureau
 Sirhind: After much suspense and kite flying within the party,
Simranjit Singh Mann, who had resigned from the presidentship of
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) after the party's poor showing in the
Assembly elections, has now agreed to once again take up the hot
seat job.
But the decision hasn't come before a behind-the-scenes tug of war
between those around Simranjit Singh Mann and a few other leaders
who stressed their regard for Mann but said a semblance of change in
the style of functioning of the party must be reflected at this
juncture in history.
Significantly,
party's spokesperson and general secretary Prof Jagmohan Singh,
known for his savvy ways with the media and articulateness, resigned
from his position saying he has played his innings and would now
like to explore more avenues for a renewed focus on Sikh
nationalism. Prof Singh, who has remained associated for nearly two
decades with the Akali Dal (Amritsar) and was a spokesperson for the
last five years, is known for his admiration of Mann but was also
reportedly a votary of giving a new thrust to leadership and
organisational structure.
The Political Affairs Commitee (PAC) of the Akali Dal (Amritsar) met
on April 9 in the morning in Sirhind at a Sweets Shop instead of the
traditional venue of Qila Harnam Singh Wallah, Mann's native place.
The media was kept strictly away.
Immediately after his resignation, Mann had stated that he had
served the party for two decades and now the new leadership would
decide the future policies of the party. He had also made it very
clear that he would stick to his stand for a Sikh buffer state
between India and Pakistan.
Senior vice president Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu, party general
secretaries Prof Jagmohan Singh, Bhai Ram Singh, Charanjit Singh
Lohara, Jaskaran Singh, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, Mohinder Pal Singh
and other senior functionaries including Anoop Singh Minhas, Iman
Singh Mann and members of the PAC were present.
Sources said earlier there was a move to suggest that Mann himself
should take up a different role in the party and leave the day to
day functioning of the Dal to the new leadership but it seems those
close to Mann did not find favour the idea that there could be an
alternative to their leader. Many were viewing Bhai Daljit Singh
Bittu as a natural successor to Mann in case the party were to
decide upon a change but it seems the established leadership had
problems in accepting Bittu in an elevated role.
11 April,
2007
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