Punjab: Parallel groups silent, panthic circles in dilemma

AMRITSAR: Panthic circles are surprised over the stoic silence of the group of parallel Akal Takht jathedar Jagtar Singh Hawara and Paramjit Singh Bheora, both convicted in Beant Singh assassination case, regarding support to Sangrur Lok Sabha candidate. Jagtar Singh Tara and Balwant Singh Rajoana, both convicted in the same case, have extended support to SAD(A) candidate Simranjit Singh Mann and SAD(B) candidate Kamaldeep Kaur Rajoana, respectively.
Jarnail Singh Sakhira, one of the main organizers of the Sarbat Khalsa which elected Hawara as parallel Akal Takht jathedar in 2015, said Hawara had not given any statement on support to any of the candidates while the officiating parallel Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Dhian Singh Mand had clarified that they would support Kamaldeep Kaur only if she contested the Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate, and not with the support of SAD(B).
Sakhira said the Badal-led SAD should clarify to the Panth as why it did not support Kamaldeep Kaur when she contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections independently from the Patiala constituency and why they had fielded Deepinder Singh Dhillon, who lost to Congress nominee Parneet Kaur.