India, March 5 -- After failing to get support from the Sukhbir Singh Badal faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Akal Takht-constituted panel on Tuesday announced to start the party's membership drive from March 18 after holding 'ardas' before the highest Sikh temporal seat.

The panel's decision came after Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh directed the group to start the membership process in line with the December 2 'hukamnama' (decree) issued by the Sikh clergy. This was in response to the Sukhbir faction's completion of their membership drive, which was alleged to have violated the directives of the Akal Takht.

Following the resignations of Harjinder Singh Dhami as convener of the Takht panel and Kirpal Singh Badungar ...