Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee
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Elections
2013, 2017: SAD (Badal) wins
Paras Singh, SAD (Badal) retains hold in gurdwara mgmt panel , March 2, 2017: The Times of India
Beating Anti-Incumbency, Bags 35 Out Of 46 Seats
Defying anti-incumbency , the Manjit Singh GK-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) retained its stronghold in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, elections results for which were announced on Wednesday . It easily subverted the challenge of Paramjit Singh Sarna's Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi, winning 35 seats out of 46 against the latter's seven.
DSGMC is a 55-member body , 46 of them popularly elected, with 10 historical gurdwaras and more than 30 educational institutions under its purview. SAD Badal had won 37 seats in 2013. The Aam Aadmi Party-supported Panthak Seva Dal could not open its account.
Manjit Singh GK, who is the incumbent DSGMC president, attributed the win to the reforms he had brought in education and the efforts to revive the Sikh history and heritage in the capital. “My work in highlighting the plight of the 1984 riot victims and efforts to ensure justice too were appreciated by the community ,“ he said.Sarna refused to comment on the demoralising results.
There are 3.8 lakh Sikh voters registered with the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections.Not only did they prevent SAD Delhi from wresting power, but they ensured that Sarna lost from his Punjabi Bagh ward to Manjinder Singh Sirsa, general secretary of the outgoing DSGMC. However, the two groups fought close battles in many seats, and the victory margin in Vikaspuri, Khayala, Model Town and Malviya Nagar was less than 1% of the votes polled in the ward. Many feel the results are significant since Sikhs form a good percentage of voters in the coming municipal polls in Delhi. In fact, as Manjit Singh said, “This is just the trailer.Sikhs will reject both the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress in the municipal polls.“
With its 46 members elected, the constitution of the new DSGMC will proceed to co-op ting the remaining nine members. Shurbir Singh, director, gurdwara elections, said, “The head priests of the four Akal Takht Sahibs, one person representing SGPC, Amritsar, two members of the registered Singh Sabhas along with two representatives of the Sikh community will complete the panel. The entire process will be over by March end.“
2021: SAD wins
Jasjeev Gandhiok, August 26, 2021: The Times of India
Current Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) functionary Manjinder Singh Sirsa lost his Punjabi Bagh seat as the results of the gurdwara panel polls were announced. He lost his seat to Harvinder Singh.
However, Sirsa’s party was able to win 27 out of the 46 seats to retain control over the gurdwara body. SAD (Delhi), led by Sarna brothers Paramjit Singh and Harvinder Singh, was able to win 14 seats. Manjeet Singh GK-led Jago party emerged victorious in only three seats.
Sirsa was still nominated by SAD to DSGMC as a member under a provision which allows the panel to co-opt nine members besides those who win seats from the 46 wards.
After the mandate, Sirsa tweeted, “We feel humbled and blessed to win 27 seats out of 46 in DSGMC elections. This win is the victory of Delhi’s Sangat. We bow our head to the honour bestowed upon Shiromani Akali Dal by the Sangat of Delhi.”
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the victory was a referendum of the ‘Sikh quom’ on the Akali Dal’s panthic identity and commitment. “Profoundly humbled & touched to receive ashirwad of Akal Purkh, great Guru Sahiban & Shri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj. Deeply grateful to the Sikh sangat across the world for blessings,” (sic) tweeted Badal. Manjeet Singh GK, a former president of DSGMC, was able to win his Greater Kailash seat by over 600 votes, while DSGMC general secretary Harmeet Singh Kalka was able to retain his Kalkaji seat.
Besides running gurdwaras across the city, DSGMC also manages schools and hospitals, and has been at the forefront during the pandemic, providing free food, healthcare and assistance to the needy people. It has also been assisting Afghan refugees and feeding farmers who are protesting on the Delhi border against new farm laws.
Voting for the elections, which had 3.4 lakh members of the Sikh community as listed voters, took place on Saturday. However, a low turnout of 37.2 per cent was recorded.
