PATIALA, MAY 16 — The Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) has formally severed ties with former minister Surjit Singh Rakhra, issuing an immediate expulsion order just hours before his anticipated entry into the Aam Aadmi Party.
The organizational directive, approved by party chief Giani Harpreet Singh, follows days of intense speculation regarding communication between the senior leader and the ruling administration. Spokesperson Jagjit Singh Kohli confirmed the development, noting that the party maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward unsanctioned external political engagements.
The development coincides with scheduled state movements, as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann prepares to travel to Rakhra’s residence this afternoon to oversee the induction process. District administrative officials and political strategists held planning meetings at the venue to manage security and protocol for the afternoon event.
Rakhra stated that his departure from traditional Akali politics stems from unresolved grievances regarding historical sacrilege incidents involving the Guru Granth Sahib. He asserted that the legislative steps taken by the current government to mandate rigorous legal punishments for such acts aligned with the core values of the community.
“I left the Akali Dal due to the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib,” Rakhra affirmed, stating that the ruling government’s legal framework offered the definitive justice that regional voters had long demanded.
Local political analysts state that Rakhra’s move to the ruling party represents a significant structural adjustment in regional politics, signaling a consolidation of influence ahead of upcoming civic and local body polls in the state.
