Bibi Jagir Kaurs homecoming: Former SGPC chief rejoins Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal

PTC News Desk: In a significant political development, Bibi Jagir Kaur on Sunday rejoined the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal. She returned to the party in the presence of its president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, at an event organised in Begowal village in the Bholath constituency of Kapurthala district. Several Akali Dal leaders and supporters were also present on the occasion.

Bibi Jagir Kaur's return is being seen as significant for Akali Dal's political position in the Doaba region. She has previously held several important positions in the party and served as president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and a minister in the Punjab government.

Jagir Kaur's political journey

Kaur, a former mathematics teacher, joined the Shiromani Akali Dal in 1995. She won the Bholath Assembly seat in 1997 and later served as a minister in the government led by Parkash Singh Badal.

In 1999, she became the first woman to head the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). She was elected SGPC president for the fourth time in November 2020. She has also served as the head of the Akali Dal's women's wing.

Welcoming her return, Sukhbir Singh Badal said her joining had given the party considerable strength, particularly in the Doaba region.

He said they had separated due to certain differences but had now come together again to strengthen the Akali Dal. He added that Punjab needed to be saved, alleging that outsiders had damaged the state over the past 10 years.

Badal also alleged that lawlessness and gangster activities had increased in Punjab.

Badal accuses AAP govt of allowing drug trade to grow

Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that drugs had reached households across Punjab. He claimed that when he questioned officials about the growing drug problem, they told him that people arrested by them were later released by AAP leaders.

He further alleged that AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann had no emotional connection with Punjab and had come to the state only to exploit it.

Comparing their commitment to Punjab with that of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir said neither Kejriwal nor Rahul Gandhi could share the same concern for the state.

Recalling his father's contribution, Sukhbir said Parkash Singh Badal had devoted nearly 70 years of his life to serving Punjab and the Sikh Panth. He added that there was hardly any village or town in Punjab that the former Chief Minister had not visited.

According to Sukhbir, Parkash Singh Badal understood the problems of farmers, poor people and traders and always believed in taking everyone along. He said people from different religious communities had supported and stood with the Badal family.