AMRITSAR: Bibi Jagir Kaur a renowned face of Shriomani Akali dal( Badal) has been elected SGPC president through voting process for the period of one year during the annual election held at Teja Singh Samundari Hall here today.
However, with the election of SGPC president, the new executive body was also formed wherein Surjit Singh as senior vice president, Buta Singh as Junior vice president, Advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka as new general secretary and Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami honorary chief secretary.
Earlier, in March 1999 she was the first female who became SGPC president, remained till November 30, 2000. Thereafter she again got privilege to grab this position for second term in September 2004 to 2005.
Before election today, senior Akali leader Alwinder Pal Singh Pakoke has presented her name for the next SGPC chief but some rebel SGPC members raised objection and demanded election process by fielding the name of Mithu Singh Kanekey. She defeated
Mithu Singh Kanekey as bagged 122 votes while Mithu Singh got just 20 votes.
At present, the house consisted of 166 members in addition to 15 co-opted members, five Jathedars of different Takhts and head priest of the Golden Temple. As many as 17 members were expired died, whereas two had resigned.
Earlier Bibi Jagir Kaur was accused of murdering her daughter Harpreet Kaur but she was exonerated by the court.
However, her predecessor Gobind Singh Longowal, enjoyed his hat-trick by remaining in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but this time he couldn’t repeat as he allegedly failed to tackle the sensitive issue of missing of 328 swaroops (copies of holy Guru Granth Sahib).