This is being done after allocation of the site to the Sant Samaj for the purpose was cancelled.

The new site is close to the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex (KHMC).

Senior Akali leader and a staunch supporter of Tohra Ujagar Singh Badali confirmed that the land belongs to Bhupinder Singh whose family is considered loyal to the Congress.

Badali, who is overlooking the arrangements for the function said, ``We had little option following refusal by the SGPC to allocate an alternative site near Quila Anandgarh gurdwara.'' He, however, clarified that the present site had been leased and thus should not be construed as a `favour' to them by a Congressman. He said that Bhupinder Singh was also giving parking space.

Earlier, a site allocated to Paramjit Singh,general secretary of ``Sanj Samaj'' opposite gurdwara Keshgarh Sahib was cancelled by the SGPC. Tohra and his loyalists were scheduled to address the public from here. This is the same site from where Tohra had addressed a gathering recently, during Hola Mohalla. The government later set up a pandal at this site for holding the state festivities.

Tohra and his supporters tried to hire an alternative site near gurdwara Quila Anandgarh but when even that did not materialise, they approached Bhupinder Singh for leasing of land.

Incidentally, Bhupinder Singh's family is locked in a legal tussle with the district administration over acquisition of the said land for the construction of KHMC. Confirming this, Bhupinder Singh's mother Vidyawati said, ``the matter is pending in the court, where we had challenged the government for paying low compensation to us.''

Bhupinder Singh was not available for comments but Vidyawati further confirmed that her family owed allegiance to the Congress.