NewDelhi: With over 2 weeks to go for the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections, candidates have begun canvassing. They are concentrating on door-to-door meeting with the electorate.
On the one hand the incumbent SAD (Badal) candidates are claiming their achievements, And on the other hand the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) led by the Sarna brothers are pointing out the Guru Harkishan Hospital issue, education issue, cancellation of admission in polytechnic institute, parking of Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and misuse of money donated by people in Gurdwaras, the English vernacular reported in its report.
The third major party Panthak Seva Dal that has support of the Aam Aadmi Party is posing itself differently. It says it will do everything for the community if voted to the DSGMC, says the media reports.
The SAD (Badal) claims that because of the party for the first time in the history of the Sikhs, contribution of Baba Baghel Singh who had defeated the Mughals and Banda Singh Bahadur who had established Sikh rule in Punjab were brought to the knowledge of the world. A function was organised at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on the completion of 300 years of Banda Singh Bahadur and installation of his statue at Nabha House near Mandi House. Construction of 1984 Sikh Genocide memorial is another achievement of the party, it claims.
In addition, increase in salary, implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations in schools, service to flood victims (Sikh and non-Sikh) in Uttrakhand and Jammu and Kashmir were other works claimed to have been accomplished by the party.
Moreover it was maintained by the party that it (SAD Badal) also worked towards enhancing the compensation amount from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh given to the Sikh Genocide survivors.
As reported by the media the main contenders in the Badal party are DSGMC president Manjit Singh (GK), general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Avtar Singh Hit, Tanwant Singh, MPS Chadha and Harmit Kalka.
In the Sarna party, the main contenders are Paramjit Singh Sarna, Bhajan Singh Walia, Harpal Singh Kochar, Gyan Singh and Prabhjeet Singh Jiti. In Panthak Seva Dal, Kartar Singh Kochar is a biggest name.