In a joint statement issued here, Ishatpal Singh Khialiwala and Hartej Singh Mehta, vice-president of the state unit and district organising secretary of the youth wing Akali Dal, respectively, said they had decided not to participate in the celebrations being organised under the leadership of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The decision, the statement said, was a reflection of the changing public opinion as most of the Sikhs were opposed to the ``high-handedness'' of Badal on the issue of Akal Takht Jathedar.

The act of Badal to violate the ``hukumnama ''(edict) issued from the Akal Takht would be remembered as a ``black spot'' in Sikh history. After being sacked aspresident of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee, Gurcharan Singh Tohra has been pinning hopes on large-scale desertions in the Akali Dal (Badal) and the SGPC elected body. He has refused to succumb to the pressure built up by Kuldip Singh Wadala, president, Akali Dal (Democratic), Jasbir Singh Rode, president, Akali Dal (Panthic), Bhai Ranjit Singh, and others to float a new party. Tohra has decided to remain in the Akali Dal (Badal) until things turned his way.

Sources close to the former SGPC chief told The Indian Express that Tohra expected some MLAs to leave the Chief Minister in protest after expansion of the ministry. Also, Tohra felt that Badal would not be able to fulfill the hollow promises made to SGPC members for utilising their services to sideline him.

The sources said Tohra planned to regain power with the help of dissatisfied MLAs and SGPC members.