Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura during a press meet in Amritsar Tuesday. (Express photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)
Three weeks after expressing resentment about some decisions taken within the party, Shiromani Akali Dal Badal MP from Khadoor Sahib, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, resigned from SAD core committee and the post of senior vice-president of the party on Tuesday.
He announced his decision in front of the media at his house in Amritsar. Former party MP Rattan Singh Ajnala was also present during the press conference, although Ajnala didn’t give resignation from party posts.
Ajnala only said that he would take decision on resignation when time will come. 82-year-old Brahmpura claimed that he was second senior leader in the party after Parkash Singh Badal. He, however, avoided blaming any one in the party’s top leadership for his resignation.
Brahmpura’s son, Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, is former MLA from Khadoor Sahib constituency, while he is an MP. He added that he will complete his Lok Sabha term, but will not contest the next general elections. Brahmpura said that even his son will not contest on a SAD ticket.
“I am resigning due to my growing age. But I will continue to keep working for the party. We have been Akalis and we will die as Akalis. We will not quit party,” said Brahmpura.
Beofre Brahmpura, SAD Rajya Sabah MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa had also resigned from party posts last month. He, however, has remained silent on the reasons behind his resignation. Dhindsa had also stated his growing age as the reason behind resignation.
Brahmpura, however, said that he was upset due to the manner in which Dera Sirsa head was given pardon and also about handling of the Bargari desercation episode. Despite repeated questions, Brahmpura declined to blame anyone from the party’s top leadership for both these developments. Brahmpura said that he was not in contact with party leadership after October 7.