Akali Dal's Harjinder Singh Dhami secures record 5th term as SGPC President, wins by 99-vote margin

Amritsar (The Uttam Hindu): Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has once again won the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections. He has been elected SGPC president for the fifth consecutive time. Dhami defeated his rival, Mitthu Singh (Akali Dal, Punar Surjit), by 99 votes.

Raghujit Singh Virk was elected Senior Vice President, Baldev Singh Junior Vice President, and Sher Singh Mand General Secretary. Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami initially appealed for a show of hands election, but this was rejected. The election was then conducted by secret ballot.

Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema called it a major achievement for the party. He said, “This is a victory for the united efforts of the Akali Dal and Panthic forces. Sukhbir Singh Badal had put forward Dhami ji's name after consulting all the members. He received 117 votes, while Mitthu Singh received only 18.” Cheema further said that last year the opposition group had received 33 votes, while this time the number dropped to 18 – “This is a testament to the trust of SGPC members and Dhami ji's honest image.” Mitthu Singh also said that those who contested against Dhami have also been elected as members of the final committee.