NEW DELHI—Facing a major competition for the upcoming Delhi Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee elections, its president Manjit Singh GK has said that upto 40% of its candidates from 46 constituencies were going to be replaced with new ones. Speaking with the press on October 18, Manjit Singh GK said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) had been conducting surveys about the performance, honesty and dedication of elected candidates.
Meanwhile, as Akali Dal Badal is gearing up for elections, it’s likely to face a competition from Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala’s Sikh Sadbhawna Dal which has also announced to field its candidates. There are also rumors that former Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh may also play a role in the elections. He certainly has the influence the sway the voters as he did last time to defeat Paramjit Sarna.
Speaking with Sikh24, Manjit Singh GK said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) will consider the eligibility of a candidate for tickets on the basis of following –
- Public image
- Honesty
- Loyalty towards party
- Acceptance among Sikh masses
- Education
- Physical fitness
- Willingness to do work for Sikh cause
GK said that the party has already completed first round of survey in all constituencies and the final decision about allotting tickets to an existing candidate will be made on the basis of two more surveys to be conducted in their respective constituencies.
He informed that the interested candidates can submit their applications at the party Office from until 5 PM on October 21. “The applications will be forwarded to the core committee of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) on October 21 after sorting them out in proper format,” he added.
In 2013, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) had bagged 37 out of total 46 seats in the DSGMC elections. Paramjit Sarna led Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), which is also considered to be backed by Congress, had secured only 8 seats while one seat went Kendriya Sri Guru Singh Sabha candidate.
Paramjit Sarna had himself lost his seat to SAD (Badal)’s Manjinder Singh by a margin of 4454 votes.
