Chandigarh, April 4 Rebel Akali leader Barjinder Singh Makhan Brar announced his resignation from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) on Saturday.
In a Facebook post, Brar announced his resignation from primary membership and all other positions within the party, accusing SAD (Punar Surjit) president Giani Harpreet Singh and Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali of misleading the 'Panth' (Sikh community) by "colluding with agencies."
Brar is the son of former Punjab minister, late Tota Singh.
SAD (Punar Surjit) was formed last year by rebel Akali leaders who were against the leadership of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
In the Facebook post, Brar described SAD (Punar Surjit) as a conspiracy hatched by "central agencies and the AAP government to weaken" the Panth's representative body, the Shiromani Akali Dal.
"A major conspiracy was hatched by some people using the name of the Akal Takht Sahib to manipulate the 'Panth', which was later named SAD (Punar Surjit). As time went on, I realized these things," he claimed.
"Manpreet Singh Ayali played a role in trapping us, as our family is deeply rooted in the Sikh community, which prompted me to join the party (SAD Punar Surjit). But whenever it came to the interests of the Panth and Punjab, Ayali remained silent.
"He would only speak against the Shiromani Akali Dal, but never against the government," Brar said.
He also targeted SAD (Punar Surjit) president Harpreet Singh, alleging that he used the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, to make efforts to "oust" the SAD at the behest of "central agencies."
"Giani Harpreet Singh would only speak when he received instructions from Delhi. I witnessed all this happening, but now I cannot hide this from the 'Panth'," Brar said.
He also expressed regret for becoming a part of SAD (Punar Surjit), which was formed to "weaken" the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Reacting to Brar's allegations, Ayali said that in politics, making accusations is easy, while standing firm on the path of truth is the most difficult.
"We had earlier stated, and we reiterate – we have come out selflessly for the welfare of the 'Panth' and the progress of Punjab, following the orders of the Akal Takht. We seek no position or chair, but aim to restore the dignity of the great institutions of the nation," Ayali said.
"Sometimes, our own people leave the path of truth, but our determination remains as firm as a rock. We do not care who stands with us and who does not. But we will continue to stand firm for the interests of the 'Panth' and Punjab," Ayali said.