SANGRUR – Shiromani Akali Dal is no more solely a party of Sikhs even while a Sikh majority remains at the party’s forefront.
The party cleverly used a mix of Hindu and Dalit candidates and has given seven of the Hindu candidates a win on the SAD ticket.
Parkash Chand Garg, Prem Mittal, Sarup Chand Singla, Deep Malhotra, NK Sharma, Pawan Kumar Teenu, Shiv Ram Kler, Avinash Chander have won the election.
Parkash Chand Garg has won from Sangrur, Prem Mittal from Mansa, Sarup Chand Singla from Bathinda urban, Deep Malhotra from Faridkot, NK Sharma from Dera Bassi, Pawan Kumar Teenu from Jalandhar and Shiv Ram Kler, Avinash Chander from Phillaur has won from Jagraon assembly constituency.
The win of Sarup Chand Singla is being projected as the biggest win as he was pitted against Harminder Singh Jassi, who is closely associated with Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Dera was presumed as a big factor in Punjab elections.
SAD secretary general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said “SAD is no more associated with any particular caste or religion. By throwing away the tag of party termed associated more with Sikhs, SAD had provided tickets to Hindus and electorates too have put its seal of approval by returning all of them as victorious. The change of tag has turned out beneficial for SAD and labeling SAD not only the party of ruralites but also of urbanites”. Dhindsa said SAD believes more in universality and this change of tag is here to stay.
