Patiala: In a move having significant impact on Punjab politics, two major factions of Akali Dal led by Parkash Singh Badal and Gurcharan Singh Tohra on June 13 formally announced unity and agreed to work under the banner of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

After a meeting with SAD president Badal, Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra announced that he was dissolving his party.

Tohra read out a brief unity draft in Gurmukhi after Badal met him at the residence of his son-in-law and former minister Harmel Singh Tohra this morning.

The draft, signed by both Badal and Tohra, says, "keeping in view the sentiments of Sikh community, party rank and file, political needs and the serious challenges faced by Punjab and the party, we declare the unity of SAD."

"We appeal to all workers to forget the past differences, ill will and hatred if any and cooperate whole- heartedly to achieve the goals of the panth (community)," it said.

Both the leaders hugged each other and exchanged sweets burying the differences, which surfaced between the two Akali stalwarts about six years back.

PTI