SAD (Punar Surjeet) launches Chandigarh unit, announces plans to contest MC polls
Says alliance talks with like-minded parties underway; targets Sukhbir Badal over neglect of Chandigarh cadre
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 4, 2026: The Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) on Saturday formally launched its Chandigarh unit, announcing that it will contest the upcoming Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections as well as the 2029 Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.
Addressing a press conference, Gurjeet Singh Talwandi, General Secretary and Party Observer for Chandigarh, said the party’s reorganisation was being carried out in line with the December 2, 2024 Hukamnama of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and under the leadership of party president Giani Harpreet Singh, former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Talwandi claimed that the party had succeeded in bringing various Akali factions onto one platform and said the organisational structure for Chandigarh would be announced within a month after the appointment of zone in-charges.
Targets Sukhbir Badal
Launching a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, Talwandi alleged that the former Deputy Chief Minister had neglected Chandigarh and its Akali workers.
“Chandigarh is geographically and socially an integral part of Punjab. Under Sukhbir Badal’s leadership, the Akali cadre in Chandigarh was ignored, leaving many workers disillusioned and forcing them either to remain inactive or join other political parties,” he alleged.
Alliance Talks Underway
Talwandi said the party is also holding discussions with like-minded political parties for a possible electoral alliance in Chandigarh.
“We will move ahead only on the basis of a common minimum programme that reflects our vision and prioritises the interests of the people of Chandigarh,” he said.
Party Unveils Chandigarh Agenda
The party also unveiled its agenda for Chandigarh, promising to address several long-pending civic and governance issues.
Among its key demands are:
- Recognition of Punjabi as the official language of Chandigarh.
- Filling UT Administration posts in the 60:40 ratio between Punjab and Haryana, as provided under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
- 300 units of free electricity and 30,000 litres of free water every month for families earning less than ₹30,000 per month.
- A land pooling policy for villages with compensation based on the Gujarat model or market value, along with development of model villages.
- Conversion of industrial and commercial plots on 99-year leasehold to freehold.
- An MSME-friendly industrial policy and easier conversion of industrial plots for commercial use.
The party also proposed transforming Chandigarh into a “24-hour city”, including the development of a European-style shopping village in Sector 17, expansion of the airport, modernisation of the ISBT and railway station, and creation of world-class civic infrastructure.
The press conference was attended by senior leaders, including Gurnam Singh Sidhu, former President of Shiromani Akali Dal Chandigarh; Patwant Singh Riar, former President of Shiromani Akali Dal Chandigarh; Mohinder Singh, former Deputy Mayor of Chandigarh; and Amrinder Singh, former SGPC member from Chandigarh.
The party appealed to Panthic organisations, village representatives and Chandigarh residents to join its movement, asserting that the city needs a strong regional political voice to represent its interests.