Sukhbir Badal warns of ‘agency-backed’ political entrants, unveils vision for Punjab at Jagraon rally

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today appealed to Punjabis to beware of agencies that might introduce a new entrant into the electoral fray in Punjab and even support the new political outfit, in the same manner as certain individuals were propped up during the 2024 parliamentary elections to weaken the SAD ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.

Addressing a massive rally here along with senior party leader SR Kaler as part of the SAD’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ movement during which he announced that the next SAD government would grant district status to Jagraon, Badal said, “In the 2024 parliamentary polls, you got emotional and voted for individuals who were propped up by agencies.”

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Urging Punjabis to understand this alleged conspiracy, Mr. Badal appealed to them to support the SAD for the welfare of Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiat.

Stating that the SAD alone was concerned about their welfare, Mr. Badal asked, “Do you think Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi), Arvind Kejriwal, or Rahul Gandhi care about your issues?”

He said parties based in Delhi had consistently discriminated against Punjab, citing how the state was denied its rightful capital, how half of its river waters were diverted to Rajasthan against the riparian principle, and how Punjabi-speaking areas were excluded during the state’s reorganization in 1966.

Asserting that the SAD was committed to correcting these historical injustices, the party president said that once the party formed the government in 2027, it would stop the flow of water into the Rajasthan canal. “We will construct new canals and divert this water to the fields of our farmers,” he said.

Mr. Badal also alleged that the AAP government was undermining the democratic framework in the state. Referring to the election of the Chairman of the Baghapurana Block Samiti held yesterday, he claimed that AAP “stole the chairmanship” despite having only eight members compared to SAD’s 15.

He said a similar situation had occurred in Mansa. “The AAP government is also using gangsters like Jaggu Bhagwanpuria to intimidate political opponents in the election of Block Samiti chairpersons,” he alleged, adding that sections of the media were being forced to toe the government line.

“Those who do not comply are persecuted, as is happening with the Punjab Kesri group, whose hotel boundary was demolished without giving it a chance to appeal.”

Accusing the AAP government of misleading Punjabis, Mr. Badal said it was promising ₹1,000 per month to women in the general category and ₹1,500 per month to those from reserved categories.

“The AAP government has taken a loan of ₹52,000 crore and sold government land to fund this allowance for just six months,” he claimed. He added that the government had also withheld power subsidies to PSPCL, warning that this would spell doom for Punjab and its farmers.

Outlining his vision for the state, Mr. Badal reiterated that the SAD would not allow water to flow into the Rajasthan canal. “All water currently diverted will instead be used for Punjab’s fields,” he said.

He also pledged to prevent industrial and sewage effluents from entering the Sutlej and Beas rivers, warning of strict action against violators. “This is essential to tackle the scourge of cancer in the Malwa belt,” he added.

He further announced the revival of the ‘Rahat’ scheme introduced by the previous SAD government to end what he described as “tax terrorism” faced by traders under both the Congress and the current AAP government.

The SAD president also promised an interest-free loan of ₹10 lakh for youth, the revival and expansion of the ‘Aata Dal’ scheme, an increase in old-age pension to ₹3,100 per month, and a hike in the ‘Shagun’ allowance to ₹1 lakh.

He added that all farmers without tube-well connections would be provided the facility, along with 12 hours of daytime power supply. He also proposed the establishment of a World Skill University with affiliated colleges in every district and reserved government jobs for Punjabis.