After a month-long hiatus, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal resumed political activity on Tuesday, joining a protest led by the party’s district unit in Gidderbaha. The protest was triggered by the cancellation of nominations for nearly 25 sarpanch aspirants aligned with SAD in the Gidderbaha Assembly segment.
Punjab Congress Committee (PCC) chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also initiated a protest outside the SDM’s office in Gidderbaha over the rejection of nominations for Congress-backed candidates. Protesters blocked the road leading to the district administrative complex.
During his speech, Sukhbir Singh Badal issued a warning to local officials, demanding they reverse the cancellations or face a “gherao” of the SDM’s office on Thursday. He added that the SAD would file a petition in the high court and approach the Election Commission if needed. Sukhbir called on Akali workers to prepare for further protests.
Following the public address, Sukhbir and party activists met with Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Surinder Singh Dhillon. Prominent figures at the protest included former Muktsar MLA Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, former Malout MLA Harpreet Singh, and SAD’s Muktsar district president Preetinder Singh Sammewali.
Sukhbir had paused his political activities after being declared “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct) by Akal Takht on August 30.
Simultaneously, PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring’s protest led to the blockade of the Malout-Bathinda highway at Gidderbaha.
