AMRITSAR: Ahead of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president elections, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announced the present incumbent Harjinder Singh Dhami as their party candidate while the opposition group, which includes expelled SAD leaders including Bibi Jagir Kaur, a four-time SGPC president, and SAD (Samyukta) president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, among others, announced Sant Balvir Singh Ghunas as their candidate for the opposition.The SGPC presidents annual elections are scheduled to be held at Teja Singh Samundari Hall situated in SGPC complex on Wednesday.SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday announced Dhami as their candidate for the post of the president of SGPC. All the SAD members of SGPC has expressed full confidence in Dhamis working in my one to one meetings with them, so he will remain our choice for the present elections said Sukhbir.On the other hand, Bibi Jagir Kaur and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa held a joint press conference on Tuesday to introduce Mahant Balvir Singh Khunas as their candidate for the SGPC presidency. Bibi Jagir Kaur confidently said, "We have nominated Khunas, and he will emerge victorious in the presidents elections." When questioned about the level of support they enjoy from SGPC members, she said saray hi members sad nal han (All the members are with us.However, there is a prevailing sense of unease regarding the Akali leaders alleged attempts to persuade members of the opposition group before the SGPC presidential elections on Wednesday. A source informed, "All those contesting elections for a religious body are politicians well-versed in the intricacies of politics, especially in swaying opposition members through inducements or other means. Tuesday night is going to be very long and demanding for everyone involved."Sources revealed that the last-minute truce attempts between Bibi Jagir Kaurs faction and Sukhbir failed to materialise due to unsuccessful backdoor negotiations and disagreements. According to party insiders, "Jagir Kaur aims to revitalize the SAD and restore it to its former glory by joining SAD fold at a higher post , but the SAD perceives her as a threat to Badals leadership within the party.During 2022 SGPCs presidential elections, Dhami polled 104 votes whereas his opponent, Bibi Jagir Kaur was polled 42 votes.Meanwhile Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Managment Committee (HSGMC) president Bhupinder Singh Asandh who has been a member of SGPC since 1996 said he along with Baldev Singh Khalsa had resigned from the SGPCs membership and both of them wouldnt participate in the elections for SGPCs president. However, he said he was not aware of the decision of the remaining nine members regarding their participation in the voting process at Teja Singh Samundari Hall on Wednesday. He, however, opined that they should exercise their right to vote and cast their votes against the SAD candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami.Notably, 11 members are elected from Haryana in the SGPCs general electiosn while 1 member is coopted.While expressing deep concern about political interference in Sikh religious matters and organizations, Baljit Singh Daduwal, former HSGMC president and current member of HSGMC, said "The crux of the matter is not just about the participation of SGPC members from Haryana in the vote. Its about safeguarding the independence of religious organizations from political influence." He said that two SGPC members in Haryana had already resigned, indicating a trend that others might also choose to step down in protest against such interference.

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