Coordination talks between the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and the Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) factions have ended, members of the coordination committee announced here today.
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In a joint statement, members of the four-member coordination committee of the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) — Babu Singh Brar, Parmjeet Singh Johal, Pargat Singh Rayya and Rachhpal Singh Sosan — said the decision was taken due to fundamental ideological differences and the continued projection of leaders who, they claimed, had lost the moral right to lead the Panth.
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An eight-member Panthic Unity Coordination Committee had earlier been constituted on April 18 with the aim of facilitating unity between the two Akali Dal factions.
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Sosan said several rounds of meetings and discussions were held between both sides, but consensus could not be reached on certain basic and significant ideological issues, resulting in the breakdown of alliance efforts.
He stated that prior to the formation of the coordination committee, there had been a mutual understanding in light of the December 2 directive issued by Akal Takht that leaders who had lost the moral basis to lead the Panth would be kept away from positions of leadership.
“Punar Surjeet not only assigned prestigious positions to such leaders but also handed them the command of leadership, which was against the spirit of Panthic unity and the expectations of the Sikh community,” Sosan said.
The committee members further accused the Akali Dal Punar Surjeet leadership of repeatedly making irresponsible statements which, they said, weakened the very foundation of the proposed alliance. “After detailed consultations with the senior leadership of Akali Dal-Waris Punjab De, it has been decided to discontinue the coordination process,” Sosan said