Eye on Sikh votes, JAD plans meet in Haryana

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, April 29

In an attempt to unite Sikh voters in the state, the Janata Akali Dal (JAD) has planned to organise a Sikh convention in Haryana. The convention would be held under the banner of Haryana Sikh Panthik Ekta and it would be organised in Karnal or Kurukshetra in June.

Speaking to The Tribune over phone, JAD chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda said, “A convention would be organised and it is an attempt to unite the Sikh voters. We are in touch with several Sikh saints and other prominent neutral Sikh personalities, including teachers, doctors and advocates, who have a good reputation in the society. Sikh leaders from other political parties would also be invited to the convention.”

“It is an attempt to mark our presence felt and let the other political parties know that the time has come to give importance to the community. Without showing political presence nothing can be achieved. As many as 30 Assembly and four parliamentary seats in Haryana have a sizeable presence of Sikh voters and the Sikhs can play the deciding factor in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections,” he added.

Jhinda said, “The convention would be organised in June but the date and place is yet to be finalised. Besides this, it would be headed by saints and intellectuals instead of political leaders. We have been receiving a positive response from several prominent Sikh personalities in the state.”

“The Shiromani Akali Dal had announced to contest elections in Haryana and it is an attempt by the party to divide Sikh voters in the state. Everything is being done at the behest of BJP. The convention would help us in uniting Sikh votes in the state. A strategy is being chalked out in this regard,” Jhinda added.

He said, “The JAD has already made its intentions clear by announcing that it would contest the Assembly elections. Though we are looking for an alliance, we will contest even if there is no alliance. The JAD is trying to know the opinion of the party members and it would go with their decision.”

The JAD had announced to contest on 29 seats in 11 districts of Haryana.

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