:dateline:Lack of cooperation by a former supporter of the Sikh Panchayat has caused the election to be a tight race this year for the control of Callifornia�s biggest Panthik Gurdwara. �Elections at the Fremont Gurdwara are due in March 2016, and along with facing Badal-backed BASA, the Sikh Panchayat also has to contest against Jaswinder Singh Jandi group (a pro-Khalistan slate) who is fielding his own candidates.
Sikh Panchayat had come out victorious after defeating the Bay Area Sikh Alliance (BASA) in 2014. �However, due to opposition by Jaswinder Singh Jandi this year, it will be a tight race again between the two major groups.
Bhai Jaswinder Singh Jandi is a prominent Sikh, with sizable support across the Bay Area. �However, due to internal disputes with the Sikh Panchayat, he announced to field his own slate this year. �It is being rumored that if the Jandi slate does not step down, it will lead to break up of votes for the Sikh Panchayat, positioning the BASA to be a better contender, and possible winner of the elections this year.
While the Sikh Panchayat has been doing seva at Gurdwara Sahib Fremont for the past 4 years, BASA members are not active in Fremont Gurdwara and many hail from San Jose instead. �BASA also has ties�with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) group and some of their senior members are also notorious for having proximity with the Indian consulate. �BASA President Avtar Singh Dhami was known as the right hand man of the excommunicated Gurbaksh Kala Afghana. �BASA�s affiliation with anti-Panthik forces is the main reason why this group has not been able to gather support at Fremont Gurdwara, which is known as a Panthik institute.
There were talks of the possibility of Jaswinder Singh Jandi also joining hands with BASA, however, due to conflict over �Khalistan issue�, the latter backed out. �However, if any member of the Jandi group is victorious, along with BASA members, it will be interesting to note how a staunch Khalistani will work with Badal / Indian Government affiliated committee members.
Despite stiff opposition by BASA, Sikh Panchayat has delivered majority of its promises made two years ago, including –
1) �����Improving Khalsa School and langar kitchen facilities
2) �����Auditing of Gurdwara Sahib statements every two years
3) �����Empowerment of Sikh women and youth in the community by fielding a Gursikh woman and amritdhari youth
It promised two years ago to also resolve the long pending property dispute over the 100 acres of land and develop a senior center. �Sikh24 is not aware on the progress made on these promises.
