Singh's announcement came a day ahead of a crucial meeting of Tohra loyalists in Ludhiana tomorrow that is expected to start the run-up to the formal split in the Dal.

Thekedar Surjan Singh, who had resigned as vice-president of the party protesting the issuance of a show-cause notice to Tohra, today said the meeting would chalk out the strategy to be adopted at the "Khalsa Panchayat" at Gurudwara Alamgir, 15 km from here on May 30.

He said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is also president of the Akali Dal, had been served with an ultimatum that he should recognise the authority of sacked Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh and appear before him by tomorrow.

"If Badal failed to do so, the Khalsa Panchayat would expel him from the SAD and would elect a new president", he said. Bhai Ranjit Singh would presideover the Khalsa Panchayat.

Those attending tomorrow's meeting would include former Akal Takht chief Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, former Punjab ministers Sukhjinder Singh, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Inderjit Singh Zeera, Manjit Singh "Calcutta". Former lok sabha member Prem Singh Chandumajra, SPGC members (Tohra loyalists) MLAs and others, Thekedar said.

Meanwhile, leader of a prominent Akali Dal faction opposed to Badal, Kuldip Singh Wadala ruled out joining the new party saying he would keep intact the independent indentity of his Akali Dal (Panthic).

Tohra to issue white paper against Badal

AMRITSAR: Former SGPC president G S Tohra today said he would issue a White Paper to "expose the acts of corruption and nepotism" allegedly committed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his ministerial colleagues.

Denying any link with the Congress, Tohra said at a function here that "all allegations linking my collusion with Congress are baseless".