SAD President Sukhbir Badal Announces Major Poll Promises for 2027
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal made significant announcements during the party's annual conference in Takhtupura, Moga. He outlined a comprehensive plan for Punjab if SAD returns to power in the 2027 assembly elections.
Key Economic and Employment Promises
Badal declared that his government would provide Rs 10 lakh interest-free loans to the youth of Punjab. He also promised free tubewell connections to all farmers currently without them.
The SAD leader made a bold statement about employment, saying "state government jobs will be open only for Punjabis." He contrasted this with the current AAP government's approach, which he claimed gives jobs to outsiders.
For industries seeking government subsidies, Badal announced they would need to employ 75 percent Punjabis on their payrolls. He also promised tax exemptions for motorbikes, similar to the road tax reprieve given to tractors during his father Parkash Singh Badal's tenure.
Water Management and Agricultural Focus
Addressing water issues, Badal stated his government would stop Punjab's water from flowing into Rajasthan. He claimed this flow was unlawful under the Riparian principle and that Punjab alone has claim over these waters.
The SAD president promised to divert these waters to Punjab farmers' fields. He also announced plans to install pipes ensuring canal water reaches tail ends of irrigation systems.
Educational and Institutional Reforms
Badal announced ambitious educational plans including establishing 16 medical colleges - one in each district of Punjab. He promised 50 percent reservation of seats for poor and deserving students who would receive free education in medical and veterinary colleges.
The SAD leader also announced a Skill University with capacity to train 50,000 youth. He said corporates would be brought on board to provide training according to industry needs, ensuring proper absorption of trained youth into the workforce.
Governance and Administrative Changes
Badal promised to reopen Sewa Kendras and establish a commission to probe all fake cases registered by the AAP government. He said those responsible for implicating innocents in false cases would face legal action.
The SAD president criticized the Congress and AAP for giving guarantees they never fulfilled, saying "Punjabis trust our word." He cited previous SAD implementations including free power to farmers, old age pension, aata-daal schemes, Shagun and SC Scholarship programs.
Comments on Sacrilege Allegations
Badal commented strongly on CM Bhagwant Mann's alleged sacrilege video, calling it "heinous sacrilege against the Guru Sahiban." He appealed to Maha Purakhs to take notice of the incident.
The SAD leader claimed sacrilege incidents began occurring in Punjab in 2015 after AAP's entry into the state in 2014. He alleged these were started to divide the Sikh community and defame SAD.
Badal also claimed the AAP government was trying to frame him in a false case but vowed not to be intimidated. He said he would continue speaking fearlessly against what he called anti-people and anti-Punjabi policies of the current government.
The announcements come as SAD, once a dominant force in Punjab politics, positions itself for the 2027 elections with a series of populist measures aimed at various voter segments including youth, farmers, and Punjabi job seekers.
