CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal stepped up its political campaign last week with a major rally led by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, where he launched a direct attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab over law and order, water rights and what he termed administrative collapse.
Addressing party workers and supporters at Qadian, Badal accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to control rising crime and alleged that Punjab’s interests were being compromised under pressure from Delhi. He reiterated that an SAD government would not allow Punjab’s river waters to flow to other states and promised stricter anti-drug measures, including property seizure of traffickers and tougher bail provisions for organised crime.
The rally is being seen as part of SAD’s early mobilisation for the 2027 Assembly elections. Party leaders claimed that dissatisfaction is growing among farmers, traders and youth over unemployment and governance issues. Badal also accused the state government of politicising administrative machinery, referring to recent government programmes where senior officials shared the stage with political leaders.
Even as SAD sharpened its attack on the ruling party, controversy erupted within Sikh religious circles following allegations made by Darbar Sahib head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh. The granthi publicly accused the Badal family and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee leadership of corruption and misuse of authority within the SGPC. He alleged that certain decisions and contracts were influenced by political considerations and called for greater transparency.
The SGPC, led by president Harjinder Singh Dhami, issued a notice asking Giani Raghbir Singh to substantiate his claims within 72 hours, stating that the allegations were serious and could not remain unverified. Dhami denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the committee functions under established procedures.
The Aam Aadmi Party quickly seized upon the allegations, accusing SAD of attempting to dominate religious institutions for political gain. AAP leaders said the controversy exposed what they described as a longstanding nexus between politics and religious management bodies in the state. The simultaneous political rally and religious controversy have intensified the atmosphere in Punjab. While SAD is attempting to project itself as the principal challenger to the Mann government, the granthi’s remarks have opened a sensitive debate within Panthic circles.
As Punjab moves closer to the next Assembly elections, the battle lines are becoming clearer, with governance, institutional credibility and religious management emerging as key flashpoints in the state’s evolving political landscape.
