The Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has begun social engineering to tackle its breakaway faction SAD (Punar Surjit) and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s outfit Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, which are trying to penetrate into its politically conservative Sikh voter base.In the first such move, Sukhbir has announced the appointment of Assembly heads from the Christian and Muslim communities across Punjab. A total of 15 Christians and 19 Muslims have been named “halqa pradhans”, with more appointments expected soon.Daljit Singh Cheema, secretary of SAD, said the Christian and Muslim communities had rendered great services to the society, and the inclusion of minorities shows the constructive ideology of the SAD.Other than assembly chiefs, organisational committees of the Christian and Muslim communities would also be formed, he said. The development has taken place at a time when the regional party is still battling the 2015 sacrilege and firing incidents, with Sukhbir last appearing before the special investigation team (SIT) in July.Sukhbir, who was attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang at Nanded gurdwara in Maharashtra on August 13 and had to undergo surgery, is still recuperating.Meanwhile, Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) chief Giani Harpreet Singh has extended support to the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha and backed their protest on August 15 and the Punjab Bandh call on August 21.