Qadian, February 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Sounding the bugle for the start of the first phase of the election campaign of the Shiromani Akali Dal, its president Sukhbir Singh Badal today thundered the storm which would drive all Delhi based parties from Punjab had started, even as he outlined his vision for the State including the welfare of farmers, pucca bundhs on rivers, upgraded welfare schemes for the weaker sections, Rs ten lakh interest free loans for the youth, government jobs for Punjabis only and an end to the gangster culture and drug mafia.
The SAD president also asserted that chief minister Bhagwant Mann was not only corrupt and had acquired 2,500 acres of land in Australia, but was also readying to compromise the River waters of Punjab.
“The file which the central government has made against Bhagwant Mann has forced him to soften his position vis a vis transfer of water to Haryana through the SYL canal. I want to make it clear. We are ready to spill our blood but we will not allow one drop of SYL water to flow out of the State”. He also made it clear that Punjab was suffering because the Aam Aadmi Party refused to speak up for Punjab at the centre.
“This will be the fate of any party which will sell its Rajya Sabha seats to the highest bidder”, he said adding AAP had sold its Rajya Sabha seats to moneybags Rajinder Gupta and Ashok Mittal”.
Asserting that the storm had started and would become a tsunami in 40 days while referring to the record 40 back to back rallies being held by the party before Baisakhi, the SAD president expressed his gratitude to the Akali rank and file including party halqa incharge Guriqbal Singh Mahal and Punjabis for congregated in thousands to launch the Punjab Bachao- Sukhbir Singh Badal Liyao campaign in Qadian.
“The rally has made it clear that Punjabis are eager for the return of the SAD in2027 and want to deal a resounding defeat to all Delhi based parties”.
Spelling out the party’s agenda, Mr Sukhbir Badal said “give me five years and I will lead Punjab back into an era of peace, progress and prosperity”. He also announced a number of commitments to the people of Punjab covering all sections of society. Speaking about the farmers, Mr Badal said tubewell connections would be given to all those who do not have one within one week of the formation of the next SAD government.
He also announced establishment of ‘pucca bundhs’ on rivers to deal with floods, assured grant of land rights to those who had been denied this right till now and free partition of joint ownership of land.
Speaking about how the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party had first reduced and were now denying social welfare benefits to the underprivileged, Mr Badal said “we are committed to augmenting all social welfare schemes which were started by S Parkash Singh Badal besides creating more new schemes for the weaker sections”.
He said the atta- daal scheme would be restarted with atta being given @Rs 4 per kg and daal @Rs 20 per kg. “Rs one lakh wedding assistance will be given to the poorer sections and old age pension will be hiked to Rs 3100 per month”.
Explaining how new jobs and avenues would be opened for the youth and all new industries would have to hire 75 per cent Punjabi youth, Mr Badal said all government jobs would be available for Punjabis only. He also announced that an Rs 10 lakh interest free loan would be available to youth which they could return within a period of ten years.
He said the next SAD government would ensure 50 per cent reservation to students of meritorious schools in government as well as private engineering and medical colleges.
The SAD president also vowed that the gangster culture and drug mafia would be eradicated from the State. “We will change laws to deny them bail for up to ten years besides auctioning their properties”.
He also announced that the World Kabaddi Cup would be restarted and that a new Kushti Cup would also be initiated. “Pashu Melas will be encouraged even while a Race Course would be constructed for Marwari horses besides encouraging Kabootar baazi sport”.
Earlier Qadian halka incharge Guriqbal Singh Mahal while listing the issues of the constituency, called for strengthening the Dhussi bundh besides reopening the Government College Ladhupur and converting it into a Degree College besides constructing roads to the bridge at Dhanoa. Senior leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and Youth Akali Dal president Sarabjit Singh Jhinjher also spoke on the occasion.
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