After Ayali exit, rift in Punar Surjit flagged

Amritsar: The crisis within Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) deepened on Thursday as US-based supporter Bhupinder Singh Khalsa, considered instrumental in setting up the party headquarters in Amritsar, accused the leadership of sidelining loyal members amid growing internal divisions.The remarks come days after former ministers Surjit Singh Rakhra was expelled from the party and Manpreet Singh Ayali resigned, triggering fresh turmoil in the outfit headed by former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.Khalsa alleged that despite repeatedly trying to contact the party president since Nov 28, 2025, he received no response. "I called around 35 times, but none of my calls or messages were answered," he claimed.He alleged that newly emerging groups within the party were being favoured at the cost of older loyalists and said this disconnect contributed to the exit of senior leaders like Rakhra and Ayali.Khalsa said he had spent over three months arranging and overseeing preparations for the party headquarters in Amritsar.Party spokesperson Jagjit Singh Kohli acknowledged Khalsa's role in setting up the headquarters but dismissed concerns over recent exits."Those who left had vested interests. The party has suffered no setback," Kohli said, adding, " A few people leaving will not harm the party."