Avtar Singh Makkar replaces Bibi Jagir Kaur as SGPC chief

     Amritsar: Bibi Jagir Kaur's one-year controversial tenure as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president came to an end today with the selection of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) state vice-president Avtar Singh Makkar. Jagir Kaur was the first woman to hold the post of SGPC chief.

     Avtar Singh Makkar was unanimously elected president by the general house of the SGPC at its meeting held at Teja Singh Samundri Hall in the Golden Temple complex here today. His name was proposed by former SAD Minister Sucha Singh Langah and seconded by Jarnail Singh and Makhan Singh. Two former SGPC chief's - Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar and Jagdev Singh Talwandi - were in the race to succeed Jagir Kaur. The SGPC general house has 190 seats. Out of these, 170 members are elected, 15 are nominated and the remaining five are the high priests. With the SAD in a strong majority in the general house, the election of all the office-bearers like president, senior vice-president, junior vice-president and general secretary was a mere formality. It remains to be seen whether other Akali factions manage to squeeze in one member in the 11-member executive on the bases of their combined strength. Avtar Singh Makkar, who is said to be a close confidant of SAD chief Prakash Singh Badal, won the battle. He is a first time member of the SGPC and had contested the last assembly polls on the SAD ticket from Ludhiana West, but lost.