AMRITSAR: Four time MLA, and former minister Gobind Singh Longowal, the former driver of late Harchand Singh Longowal was today elected 42nd President of Shriomani Gurdwara Pharbandhak Committee (SGPC) during its annual general house meeting. He was polled 142 votes whereas his rival candidate was Amrik Singh Shahpur got only 15 votes. Totals number of votes were 169 .
Besides SGPC president election, Ragujit Singh Virk was elected Senior vice president, Harpal Singh Jalla, Junior vice president, Gurbachan Singh Karmuwal General secretary were elected unanimously amidst the religious slogans of Bol-e-So-Nihal Sat-Sri-Akal at the mini Sikh Parliament in Teja Singh Samudari Hall in the SGPC premises.
Eleven Executive members elected unanimously were Sajjan Singh Banjuman, Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Lakhbir Singh, Gurpreet Kaur,Gurtej Singh Dhade, Hardev Singh, Ravinder Singh Chakk Mulla, Gurmeet Singh Zira, Gurneet Singh Talokewale, Navtej Singh Kauni and Amrik Singh Shahpur.
Earlier in the morning, former Punjab Minister and SGPC member Bibi Jagir Kaur presented the name of Gobind Singh Lanogwal for the next SGPC president which was seconded by Manjit Singh. Elections were necessitated when opposition led by SGPC member Sukhdev Singh Bhaur presented the name of Amrik Singh Shahpur against Gobind Singh Langowal.
Gobind Singh Langowal who becomes the SGPC chief remained MLA in 1985, 1997 and 2002. He had also win by-elections from Dhuri when Congress MLA Arvind Khanna resigned in 2015. Longowal was also remained cabinet minister in the Akali Government. He became SGPC member in 2011.
The General House of SGPC today after the president elections passed a resolution condemned the Centre government’s move to change of the name of Delhi University’s Evening college Dayal Singh Majithia to Vande Matram Morning College.