The rebellion within the Shiromani Akali Dal has spotlighted the influence of regional papers in Punjab, especially Barjinder Singh Hamdard, the owner and editor-in-chief of the Jalandhar-based daily Ajit.
According to an Indian Express report, SAD leaders who have rallied behind party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal believe Hamdard is supporting the demand to replace him, pointing to the fact that the rebel leaders held a meeting recently at his farmhouse in Jalandhar. While Hamdard was not present at the meeting, he is known to have separately met some of the SAD rebels, including Bibi Jagir Kaur, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Prem Singh Chandumajra and Gurpartap Singh Wadala, the paper reported.
