CHANDIGARH: Ranjit Singh Brahmpura who revolted against Badal family and accused them of looting Punjab today rejoined Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD). Brahmpura rejoined the SAD at a simple function held at his residence in the presence of SAD Patron Parkash Singh Badal and party President Sukhbir Singh Badal. He has been appointed Vice Patron of the SAD.
Other SAD (Sanyukt) party leaders who rejoined their mother party on the occasion included ---Jathedar Ujjagar Singh Badaali, Jathedar Mohinder Singh Hussainpur, Ravinder Singh Brahmpura – all of whom were appointed vice presidents, Karnail Singh Peermohamad who has been appointed as General secretary and Spokesperson, Jathedar Manmohan Singh Sathiala, (general secretary), Gopal singh Janiyan (organisation secretary), Gurpreet Singh Calcutta (joint secretary) and Jagroop Singh Cheema as senior vice president of YAD.
Speaking on the occasion, Brahmpura said “I was on leave from my parent party for some time in the same manner in which a ‘fauji’ goes on leave for some time before rejoining his battalion”. He said the SAD had done the most sacrifices for the ‘panth’ and Punjab and now “it is our responsibility to strengthen the party. We will go from house to house to usher in a new revolution in the State”. The veteran leader also praised Mr Parkash Singh Badal profusely on the occasion by referring to him as ‘Baba Bohar’.
He also clarified that he had erred but that it was not deliberate and that the party should forgive him for the mistakes committed by him.
The SAD patron said if he had got the opportunity to become chief minister five times Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura had a big role to play in this. “Brahmpura Sahab is an Akali and will always remain an Akali. Today I am very happy that two brothers have joined hands again”. He said there could have been some shortcoming on his part earlier but asserted “we are joined by hearts again”.
Asserting that the SAD had received a big strength with the joining of Mr Brahmpura, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said “I appeal to other Akali leaders who have left the mother party to follow the path chosen by Mr Brahmpura”. He also made it clear that even though the SAD was under attack both on the religious and political fronts, it would stand steadfast in the service of Punjabis. “Every time we have been attacked we have emerged stronger. Even Indira Gandhi could not break our will. False cases being registered against us by the Congress party won’t deter us from our goal in any manner whatsoever”.
Speaking on the occasion, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal said the SAD would benefit immensely from the experience of Mr Brahmpura whom he described as a father like figure. He said Sri Akal Takth jathedar Harpeet Singh had also called for unity of all panthic forces in the wake of a concerted attack against the Panth and Punjab by three governments – including the central government as well as the governments of Punjab and Delhi. He said the SAD alone represented the ‘panth’ and Punjab and followed the concept of ‘meeri peeri’ even as he appealed to everyone to unite to form ‘panth di sarkar’ in the State.
Other senior leaders present on the occasion included Bawinder Singh Bhundur, Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and N K Sharma.