Farmers Movement Archive

Delhi: Manjinder Singh Sirsa loses seat, but SAD wins gurdwara body polls

NEW DELHI: Current Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) functionary Manjinder Singh Sirsa lost his Punjabi Bagh seat as the results of the gurdwara panel polls were announced on Wednesday. He lost his seat to Harvinder Singh. However, Sirsa’s party was able to win 27 out of the 46 seats to retain control over the gurdwara body. SAD (Delhi), led by Sarna brothers Paramjit Singh and Harvinder Singh, was able to win 14 seats. Manjeet Singh GK-led Jago party emerged victorious in only three seats. Sirsa was still nominated by SAD to DSGMC as a member under a provision which allows the panel to co-opt nine members besides those who win seats from the 46 wards. After the mandate, Sirsa tweeted, “We feel humbled and blessed to win 27 seats out of 46 in DSGMC elections. This win is the victory of Delhi’s Sangat. We bow our head to the honour bestowed upon Shiromani Akali Dal by the Sangat of Delhi.” SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the victory was a referendum of the ‘Sikh quom’ on the Akali Dal’s panthic identity and commitment. “Profoundly humbled & touched to receive ashirwad of Akal Purkh, great Guru Sahiban & Shri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj. Deeply grateful to the Sikh sangat across the world for blessings,” (sic) tweeted Badal. Manjeet Singh GK, a former president of DSGMC, was able to win his Greater Kailash seat by over 600 votes, while DSGMC general secretary Harmeet Singh Kalka was able to retain his Kalkaji seat. Besides running gurdwaras across the city, DSGMC also manages schools and hospitals, and has been at the forefront during the pandemic, providing free food, healthcare and assistance to the needy people. It has also been assisting Afghan refugees and feeding farmers who are protesting on the Delhi border against new farm laws. Voting for the elections, which had 3.4 lakh members of the Sikh community as listed voters, took place on Saturday. However, a low turnout of 37.2 per cent was recorded.

The Times of India

2021-08-26

Delhi