Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): A charged atmosphere prevails within the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) complex as members gear up for what promises to be one of the most closely contested presidential elections in recent years. The voting, scheduled for today at the historic Teja Singh Samundari Hall, will decide not only the next SGPC president but also key office-bearers of the influential Sikh religious body.
The upcoming contest is being seen as a litmus test for Harjinder Singh Dhami, who is eyeing a fifth consecutive term as president. Backed by the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Dhami faces renewed opposition from a reorganised faction of the party headed by Giani Harpreet Singh, the former acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, who has emerged as a formidable challenger.
A Shift in Power Dynamics
Traditionally, SGPC members have endorsed the SAD president’s choice of nominees for the top posts. However, this year marks a significant departure from that practice. The restructured SAD faction, led by Giani Harpreet Singh, has opted to allow its aligned SGPC members to independently select their preferred candidates.
“We believe in democratic decision-making, not in imposing names from the top,” Giani Harpreet Singh told reporters after a late-night meeting. “Our SGPC members will discuss and finalise the name of their presidential candidate tonight.”
Meanwhile, the mainstream SAD, under Sukhbir Badal’s leadership, has already reaffirmed its support for Dhami’s candidature, with members gathering at Teja Singh Samundari Hall on Sunday to seal the decision.
Composition of the SGPC House
The SGPC’s 191-member House comprises 170 elected representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Additionally, 15 nominated members from across India and six ex-officio members, including the Jathedars of the five Takhts and the head granthi of the Golden Temple, complete the body. Out of these, 30 seats are reserved for women, reflecting an effort to ensure gender representation in the committee’s functioning.
Dhami’s Consistent Run at the Helm
Since his first victory in 2021, Harjinder Singh Dhami has maintained an unbroken winning streak. He debuted as president after defeating Mithu Singh Kahanke, securing 122 votes. The following year, despite a challenge from Bibi Jagir Kaur, Dhami retained his position with 104 votes against Kaur’s 42.
His grip over the committee strengthened in 2023, when he won a third term with 118 out of 137 votes, followed by another triumph in 2024, where he defeated Jagir Kaur once again with 107 votes to 33.
Intense Contest Expected
Political observers believe this year’s election could be more competitive than previous ones. The entry of Giani Harpreet Singh’s reorganised faction has added a new layer of uncertainty to the usually predictable SGPC polls. With both sides holding late-night meetings to finalise strategies and alliances, the outcome will likely hinge on cross-group support and last-minute negotiations.
For Dhami, today’s election represents not just an attempt to retain his post but also a test of the traditional Akali Dal’s hold over the SGPC, which has been the party’s stronghold for decades.
As voting begins at the SGPC headquarters, all eyes are on Teja Singh Samundari Hall — the nerve centre of Sikh religious and political affairs — where the result will decide whether continuity or change will define the future leadership of the apex gurdwara body.
