Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia lead SAD's assembly election campaign in Ludhiana West
Ludhiana: As national parties flood Ludhiana's West constituency with high-profile campaigners ahead of the June 19 bypoll, the
Shiromani Akali Dal
(SAD) is charting its own path — relying squarely on regional leadership to woo voters amid growing internal tensions.
While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and BJP bring in political stars from across the country, the SAD has kept its campaign grounded with party president Sukhbir Singh Badal leading the charge. His efforts received a boost on Wednesday with the arrival of senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia, whose presence is expected to energise grassroots workers. "Sukhbir and Majithia are our star campaigners," a senior Akali member said, requesting anonymity.
"The people of Punjab know who stood with them. They remember the development under the SAD-BJP govt and hold Parkash Singh Badal in high regard."
Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal is also expected to join the campaign briefly, while senior SAD member Daljit Singh Cheema and other state leaders are canvassing actively for party candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman. Despite limited external fanfare, local leaders claim that being a regional party gives the SAD an edge in understanding and addressing ground realities.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Canadian Residents Are Now Eligible for a New Financial Program
Canada Today
Undo
"Crowds at national leaders' rallies don't always translate into votes," another SAD leader said, dismissing large gatherings at AAP rallies as optics bolstered by out-of-town supporters.
However, the campaign has been marred by an escalating feud between Ghuman and Dakha legislator Manpreet Singh Ayali, both from within the SAD fold. Ghuman accused Ayali of sabotaging the party's prospects by allegedly aligning with rival parties under the guise of a membership drive.
"Ayali tried to benefit from the BJP, helped AAP, and now seeks votes for the Congress," Ghuman alleged in a recent public interview.
Ayali hit back via a social media livestream on Wednesday, urging Ghuman to focus on public issues instead of launching personal attacks. "He's targeting me more than the governing party, which is shameful," Ayali said. "He should campaign on merit, not mudsling." The public fallout has stirred unease among party loyalists, casting a shadow over SAD's strategy to project unity and reclaim lost ground in Punjab.
MSID:: 121778856 413 |
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Exploring path to reset ties: MEA on India-Canada ties
THE MEETING between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis next week will be an opportunity to explore ways to reset ties, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Both India and Canada are 'vibrant democracies bound by a commitment to the rule of law', so the meeting will be important for the two leaders to share views on bilateral and global issues, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in response to a question at the weekly briefing. On June 6, PM Modi received a call from his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, inviting him to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada later this month. Later, in a post on X, PM Modi congratulated Carney on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation. PM Modi said he is looking forward to meeting PM Carney in Canada. The call was also an occasion for the two Prime Ministers to talk about India-Canada relations, and how it can be taken forward, the MEA spokesperson said. 'We believe that the forthcoming meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada will offer an important opportunity for them to exchange views on bilateral and global issues, and explore pathways to set or reset the relationship, based on mutual respect, shared interests and sensitivity to each other's concerns,' he said. The development comes after more than a year of strained diplomatic ties between the two countries, triggered by former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations about the 'potential' link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023. India rejected the charges as 'absurd' and 'motivated', and consequently, both nations expelled high commissioners and other senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat move. India has also repeatedly expressed concern about Khalistani extremism and anti-India activities in Canada and has asked authorities to take action against such activities. Asked about Carney's statement about PM Modi agreeing to engage in law enforcement dialogue, Jaiswal said there were 'existing mechanisms between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies that have discussed issues of mutual security concern over a period of time. This engagement is likely to continue.' The G7 Leaders' Summit – held annually for the leaders of the G7 member states — the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada and the European Union — will be held in Alberta's Kananaskis from June 15 to 17. India has been invited to every G7 Summit since 2019. Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Air India crash: Gujarat ex-CM Vijay Rupani believed 1206 his lucky no.
Gujarat ex-CM Vijay Rupani GANDHINAGAR: For Gujarat's former chief minister Vijay Rupani , the number 1206 was a symbol of fortune, a silent companion through the years. He believed in it with a tender faith. The registration plates of all his vehicles - scooters and cars - had 1206 on them. Friends say it had always been his lucky charm. But fate gave it a cruel twist. On June 12 - 12/06 - the same number that followed him for decades marked the day his journey ended. Rupani was aboard the AI flight that crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad. He was en route to London to meet his wife and daughter. He never arrived. The ex-CM, now the party in charge of Punjab, had put off his visit to the UK from June 5 to 12, owing to Ludhiana West bypoll on June 19, said Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar. "This is very unfortunate. This is how destiny and fate play out that he came into harm's way. He was to leave along with his wife on June 5, but rescheduled his visit to campaign for Ludhiana West bypoll," Jakhar told TOI. Rajkot mourns demise of ex-CM Rupani, its friendly neighbour In Rajkot, the city ex-CM Vijay Rupani had served and loved, the news settled like a slow, heavy fog. He wasn't just a political figure - he was a familiar face, a neighbour, a man who had time for everyone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60 m² Prefab Bungalow for Seniors in Inezgane Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Those who knew him remember his humility more than his achievements. He had been instrumental in key development works - the new airport, AIIMS - but it was his quiet presence, his unwavering availability, that left a deeper mark. "He was a tall neta, yes," said Sanjay Mehta, a neighbour. "But he lived like one of us. Always kind. Always ready to help. You'd never know he held such a big position. To us, he was Vijaybhai - our neighbour, friend." Politicians from across the political spectrum condoled Rupani's death and paid tribute. Authorities involved in rescue and relief operations confirmed he was among the dead. His nephew Mehul Rupani said, "The family is devastated to know about the sad demise of uncle. Anjali aunty (Rupani's wife) and her daughter are returning from London, as are other relatives from the US. We will follow the processes as advised by govt to take custody of his mortal remains. Family is in shock." Rupani's personal assistant Shailesh Mandaliya, who dropped him off at the airport, said, "Few minutes after dropping him, we heard the news." Born on Aug 2, 1956 in Yangon, Myanmar into a Jain family, Rupani, was the seventh and youngest child. His family moved to Rajkot in 1960 due to political instability in Myanmar.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Day after clashes on Kolkata outskirts: 40 arrested, 7 FIRs registered
At least 40 people have been arrested and seven FIRs have been registered within 24 hours of the clashes that broke out in the Rabindranagar area of Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas district, and soon spread to the adjacent Nadiyal area in Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon. Five policemen, including a woman cop, were injured in the clashes that broke out over a dispute regarding the spot of a Muslim fruit vendor's cart and the planting of a Tulsi plant near a temple in the Rabindranagar area. While 28 people were arrested by police in South 24 Parganas district, 12 were arrested by the Kolkata Police. DIG (Presidency Range) Akash Magharia said, 'So far, three cases have been filed and 28 people arrested by the West Bengal Police.' Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime, Kolkata) Rupesh Kumar said: 'A total of four FIRs have been registered at the Nadiyal police station based on complaints from police personnel. Twelve people were arrested by the Kolkata Police last (Wednesday) night.' The West Bengal Police, in a statement on X, confirmed the coordinated action, saying, 'None of those who have indulged in violence will be spared.' 'The situation is now peaceful and under control. Prohibitory orders under 163 BNSS have been imposed in the Rabindranagar PS area in the interest of peace. Representatives of all political parties or groups are advised not to visit the area till 163 BNSS is in place,' it said. The authorities have also appealed for calm and urged citizens to refrain from spreading misinformation on social media. 'Those attempting to incite unrest will be dealt with strictly, in accordance with the law,' the police said. Earlier in the day, police stopped state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar from going to Maheshtala. Majumdar then went to Kalighat to protest outside Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence along with supporters. He was detained, and later released. Sweety Kumari Police on Thursday said they have seized explosives in Budge Budge area, near Rabindranagar where clashes took place a day ago. Police said they arrested five people while they were carrying materials used in bomb-making and are investigating whether it was linked to the clash. Superintendent of Police (Diamond Harbour) Rahul Goswami said: 'Around 8:45 pm yesterday (Wednesday), acting on intelligence inputs, the police intercepted three bikes and recovered a large cache of explosive materials. These included substantial quantities of sodium powder, over 10 kg of aluminium powder, phosphorus dust, red sulphur, and iron dust — all used in making crude bombs.' 'Five arrests have been made in connection with the seizure', the SP said, adding one of them — Nabin Chandra Roy — has admitted, during the questioning, that he is an active RSS and BJP worker. 'On the day of Ram Navami, he was seen at the Bata More, where a verbal altercation occurred over the rally route and barricades. We have video footage where he could be seen throwing police barricades,' the SP said. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
