AMRITSAR, NOV 3: While the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is yet to clear its stance about fielding Bibi Jagir Kaur for the coming election for SGPC chief, the race for the post among her contenders had hot up with at least five candidates in the contest.Meanwhile, the chances of Bibi Jagir Kaur getting re-elected to the office seemed to be dim, following the internal opposition against her in the wake of the registeration of criminal case by the CBI in the mysterious death of Harpreet kaur, her daughter.The election which has to be held before November 30 required a notice of atleast 21 days to the members to be sent.With only a few days left in this deadline, various expectant candidats have reportedly camped in Chandigarh to influence Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for their candidature.According to the sources there was resentment within the SAD members of the Committee against Bibi Jagir Kaur as she had not been appearing before the public since the case was registered.They were also pressing upon the SAD government to restrict itself from clearing the name of Bibi Jagir Kaur, untill she is exonerated by the CBI.The candidates whoses name had emerged as prime contestents for the post are Mal Singh Ghumaan, Chairman, Mandi Board, Sucha Singh langah, PWD Minister, Kewal Singh Badal, a close associate of Badal , Jagdev Singh Talwandi, a senior Akali leader and SGPC member, Hardalbir Singh Shah, General Secretary of SGPC.An aggressive lobbying is on by these candidates for their individual cases at the highest level of the political circles, independently.It is also learnt that the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) would weigh all these options before taking any decision regarding the candidature for the post which include the name of Bibi herself as a particular section had pressurise for her name.Though the name of Langah was most prominently mentioned till a week ago, his critics cropped up the issue of organising the Ramayana Paths by him.They say that he being a SGPC member can not be devoted to any other but Guru Granth Sahib.But he still being from the Majha region and follower of liberal idealogy, is a promising candidate for the post.Ghumann is the senior most candidate and is close to Badal so his chances are being considered bright.However his old age could be a detterant also.Kewal Singh Badal and Hardalbir Singh Shah are the `Yes Men' of Badal and if Badal wanted a man of `perfect obedience' any one of them could be the best choice.Talwandi though not very close to Badal but is the senior SGPC member who had remained in Executive for a long period thus hold the experience in the committee.Though earlier the name of Balbir Singh Pannu, Senior Vice President of SGPC was being mentioned but as he was being oppossed by the `Kairon family', he seemed to be out of the race now.He being close to Cooperative Minsiter Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, rival of `Kairon', would proved to be the last among the racer.
