Amritsar, June 05: Efforts for unity among the two major Akali factions in Punjab today got a major boost with senior Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal appearing before Akal Takht, the Sikhs' supreme religious seat, and making penance and his rival Gurcharan Singh Tohra welcoming it and asserting reconciliation was just a few days away. The "mild punishment" for Badal for any mistake by him "knowingly or unknowingly" was pronounced from the Akal Takht by Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti after he and four other high priests held "consultations" with Badal on his recent letter in which he offered to express regrets if he had done anything wrong.

Soon after the directions, Badal offered "karha parsad" of Rs 500 at the Akal Takht while the "akhand path" would be organised shortly.

The letter was seen as a step towards unity with Tohra who had formed Sarb Hind Shiromani Akal Dal (SHSAD) following the split in Akali Dal.

Badal told reporters later that unity with Tohra faction was final and would be announced shortly.

Tohra, who had also been called for consultations an hour after Badal's appointment, could not make it due to his illness.

Tohra, however, welcomed Badal's appearance before Akal Takht and expressed satisfaction over the mild religious punishment handed over to him by the Sikh clergy.

He told reporters in Patiala that unity between him and Badal "is now a matter of a few days."

Bureau Report