BARNALA, Punjab—After having merged with the People’s Party of Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) too may blend in with the Congress before the Punjab 2017 elections. There have been rumors that the Barnala family had been looking to merge with the Akali Dal (Badal), however, as per recent speculations, the sprinter Akali Dal Longowal group may merge with Congress to save its political face. While the merger has not come as a shock, it however expresses the sad state of once senior Akali leaders who lost their careers due to nepotism within the Akali Dal (Badal).
Confirming the development, spokesperson of the Akali Dal (Longowal) Gurmel Singh Chhiniwal informed Sikh24 that the meeting of party workers was held in Chandigarh some days ago to deliberate upon the matter. He added that some activists proposed to join Aam Aadmi Party while the others suggested re-joining the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), but the majority of workers voted to join Congress.
It is being speculated that the President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) Bibi Surjit Kaur Barnala was the key factor in taking final decision.
On being contacted by Sikh24, Bibi Surjit Kaur Barnala said that her party workers have conducted two meetings with Congress and the final decision would be taken in the next party meeting.
Sikh24 has learnt that the Akali Dal (Longowal) is not demanding the assembly seat from Barnala. The Barnala family had attained victory in this assembly seat numerous times since 1965.