Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Badal promises Kandi development if SAD wins Punjab election
Sukhbir Singh Badal spoke at a rally in Balachaur about plans for Punjab’s Kandi region.
He said his party would create a special ministry for the area if it wins the 2027 election.
He promised more water for farms through tubewells, canals and pipelines.
He also promised colleges for medicine and veterinary studies in Nawanshahr.
Badal said welfare benefits would be increased for some families, older people and young entrepreneurs.
He criticized the current Aam Aadmi Party government over electricity cuts and corruption.
He also accused the government of failing to protect democratic disagreement.
These were promises and criticisms made during the Shiromani Akali Dal’s campaign.
Sukhbir Singh Badal promised a Kandi development ministry if the Shiromani Akali Dal forms Punjab’s government after the 2027 assembly polls.
He proposed deep tubewells, expanded Kandi canal irrigation, drip irrigation and underground pipelines for farmers.
Badal announced plans for medical and veterinary colleges in Nawanshahr.
He promised expanded welfare measures, including higher pensions, a revived Scheduled Caste scholarship scheme and subsidized animal husbandry projects.
Badal criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government over power cuts, corruption and alleged attacks on democratic dissent.
- Who
- Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal addressed the rally and criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Bhagwant Mann.
- What
- Badal announced development and welfare proposals for Punjab while promising a Kandi development ministry if SAD forms the government.
- When
- The rally was held on September 12; Badal referred to the 2027 Punjab assembly polls.
- Where
- Balachaur, Punjab, with proposals concerning the Kandi belt and Nawanshahr.
- Why
- Badal was campaigning for the Shiromani Akali Dal’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign and seeking support for the next state election.
SAD and Badal’s claims
AAP government’s stated position
Electricity supply
SAD and Badal’s claims
Badal claimed Punjabis were facing daily power cuts of up to 10 hours and promised to make Punjab power-surplus under SAD.
AAP government’s stated position
Badal said Bhagwant Mann had announced 12-hour daytime power supply from various stages; the article does not provide a separate response from the AAP government.
Governance and corruption
SAD and Badal’s claims
Badal accused the AAP government of corruption and questioned its ability to combat gangsters after the induction of Gurpreet Singh Sekhon into AAP.
AAP government’s stated position
The article reports Badal’s allegations but does not include a response from AAP or its explanation of the induction.
Democratic dissent
SAD and Badal’s claims
Badal accused the government of silencing dissent, citing alleged custodial torture involving Mohanjit Singh Sheron and the subsequent suicide of Gulzar Singh.
AAP government’s stated position
The article provides no response from the AAP government to these allegations.
- Campaign
- Shiromani Akali Dal’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign
- Proposed ministry
- A Kandi development ministry for Punjab’s sub-mountainous region
- Irrigation proposals
- Deep tubewells, expanded Kandi canal irrigation, drip irrigation and underground pipelines
- Education proposals
- A medical college and a veterinary college in Nawanshahr
- Welfare proposals
- 50 kg of wheat at Rs 4 per kg, a Rs 1 lakh Shagun benefit and a Rs 3,100 monthly old-age pension
- Youth support
- Interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for entrepreneurship development
- Election reference
- The 2027 Punjab assembly polls