Punjab: To quell dissidence, Sukhbir sets one family, one ticket rule

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday announced changes in the party to strengthen the organisational structure by extending more space to youth, women and other sections of society. The party will have a new organisational structure before November 30 through an electoral system monitored by a newly-constituted central election body.
The SAD president would be eligible to hold office for two terms of five years each, following which the incumbent would have to take a break of one term. "This will lead to induction of fresh leadership at the very top," he added. Sukhbir is serving his third term as the SAD president as he was elected the party president for the first time on January 31, 2008.

Sukhbir said the party would concentrate on developing the next generation of leaders by reserving 50% seats in the forthcoming assembly elections for party workers below the age of 50 years. The SAD core committee will be reconstituted by including members of the new generation, including youth, women and representatives of all sections of society.
The SAD president also announced that the party would henceforth follow the principle of one family one ticket.
Upon formation of the SAD government in Punjab, chairmanships at both the district and state-levels would be given to party workers and family members of MPs and MLAs would not be considered for these posts. Henceforth, SAD district presidents would not contest elections.
The central election body for which 117 observers have to be appointed will oversee the entire exercise across all assembly constituencies and the focus will be on creation of booth committees which will choose the booth president. The latter will elect the circle presidents who, in turn, will elect the district presidents.
The Youth Akali Dal (YAD) and the Student Organisation of India (SOI) would be reconstituted and the Sikh Student Federation (SSF) would be revived. The upper age limit for YAD members would be 35 years and 40 years for the YAD president. The upper age of SOI and SSF members would be 30 years and only students would be enrolled in these organisations.
Henceforth, all Sikh office-bearers in the party would be ‘sabat soorat’ (wear unshorn hair). The Scheduled Castes and backward classes would be given due representation in the party at all levels, said Sukhbir.
He also announced the formation of an advisory board, including intellectuals from all walks of life. A parliamentary board would be constituted to attract the best talent into the party and suggest the best candidates for the assembly elections. A disciplinary board, headed by Sikander Singh Maluka, has already been constituted and the SAD president appealed to party workers to air their differences in the appropriate party forums and not go to the media.