Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today appointed observers for all districts in Haryana to mobilize its cadre for the upcoming assembly elections, which it has decided to contest on its symbol. The observers were appointed after a two-hour meeting of the party's Haryana leadership which was presided over by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. 

The meeting also saw Sharanjit Singh Sahota being unanimously reassigned the responsibility of heading the party's Haryana unit. Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhundur was appointed party incharge for Haryana, a party issued here release. Sukhbir said the SAD would contest the upcoming assembly elections on most seats. 

"There are around 35 seats which have a sizeable Sikh presence. Sikhs are part of the population in many more seats. They need to be mobilised", he said while asking the party rank and file to fan out in the countryside and undertake a recruitment drive. He said this should be followed up with district level meetings to strengthen the SAD in Haryana. 

The Haryana assembly elections are due in 2019. Leaders from Haryana while welcoming the party's decision to contest the assembly election said they would take up all issues facing Haryanvis in order to reflect the aspersions of the people of the state, the release said. 

Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included S Raghujit Singh Virk, Avtar Singh Mangi, Tara Singh Assandh, Sukhbir Singh Mandi, Sant Singh Kandhari, Tejinderpal Dhillon and Ravinder Kaur Ajrana, it said. Lok Sabha MP Prem Singh Chandumajra was given charge of Ambala and Yamunanagar districts. 

Manjit Singh GK and Avtar Singh Hit would look after Faridabad, Palwal, Panipat, Rohtak, Sonipat and Gurgaon districts, it added. Former minister Sikander Singh Maluka would look after Fatehabad and Sirsa districts. Surjit Singh Rakhra was handed the charge of Jind and Kaithal districts. 

Bibi Jagir Kaur will look after Karnal and Kurukshetra districts. Parminder Dhindsa will look after Hisar district and N K Sharma will look after Panchkula, the statement said.