Summary:
Chandigarh, Nov 7 (PTI) The Shiromani Akali Dal on Monday expelled Bibi Jagir Kaur from its primary membership for alleged anti-party activities after she stuck to her stand of contesting the November 9 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee presidential poll.
The action came after Jagir Kaur failed to appear before the party"s disciplinary committee, which had asked to explain her decision of contesting the election.
Kaur, who has held the post of the SGPC chief thrice previously, was adamant on contesting the poll.
Once considered a Badal family loyalist, Kaur on Sunday rolled out her agenda for the SGPC presidential polls, promising to restore the autonomy of the apex gurdwara body.
She had been pressing to be the party"s nominee for the SGPC poll.
Kaur, a former MLA from the Bholath seat, had been the SGPC chief in 1999, 2004 and 2020.
Addressing the media here on Monday, SAD"s disciplinary committee chairman Sikandar Singh Maluka said the disciplinary action against Kaur was taken after exhausting all other options, including giving the leader an opportunity to present her point of view through a personal hearing.
"The SAD has always sought to present "panthic" unity by putting forward a single candidate for the post of president of the SGPC after the party president takes the views of all members individually.
We fail to understand why Bibi Jagir Kaur wanted to change this and create confusion in the Sikh community as it only helps forces inimical to the "panth"," he said.
Maluka said the party had given her chances to explain her position but she failed to respond.
"We are left with no option except to take action against her.
The disciplinary committee today decided to expel her from the party.
Her primary membership to the party has been cancelled.
Her services in the party have ended now.
The party has nothing to do with Bibi Jagir Kaur," he said.
Maluka said Kaur started preparing to contest the SGPC elections three months ago by approaching SGPC members.
He said senior SAD leaders Daljit Singh Cheema and Surjit Singh Rakhra had urged her to abide by party discipline.