Chandigarh, February 12 The Shiromani Akali Dal announced on Thursday that it will launch a mass outreach programme – "Save Punjab – Support Sukhbir Singh Badal" – from February 17, to begin its campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections.
The decision was made by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in consultation with the senior party leadership, according to a statement.
"We will address all the key issues facing Punjab and present our vision for the state. I am confident that Punjabis will rally behind the SAD, which is the only party capable of fulfilling their aspirations," Badal said.
According to senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema, the programme will begin in Qadian and include 40 rallies across the state, culminating on Baisakhi on April 13.
He said that 28 rallies will be held until March 31, with the schedule finalized. The remaining 12 rallies will be held in April.
Cheema stated that the SAD has always practiced ethical politics.
"We have always stood by our promises. This time, we will present our vision for the state, which will address all sections of society and focus on maintaining peace and communal harmony," the former minister said.
He added that the party will outline its position on key issues and its commitment to resolving them.
"These include claiming Chandigarh as the capital for Punjab and ensuring that the state receives its fair share of river water," he said.
Cheema said the party is concerned about the weakening of the country's federal structure and is committed to defending it strongly.
"The weakening of federalism has harmed Punjab financially, as it involves the devolution of central funds and the states' freedom to spend them according to their priorities," he said.
The SAD leader said that issues such as the crisis in agriculture, farmers' problems like debts and suicides, and their suffering due to lack of compensation for crop loss in the 2025 floods would be discussed at the rallies.
The issue of making the minimum support price a legal guarantee, reducing fertiliser subsidies, and protecting farmers' interests in the India-US trade deal would also be discussed.
"Issues such as providing specialized programmes for the Scheduled Caste community, increasing employment opportunities for the youth, exposing corruption, maintaining law and order, and providing shelter to the drug mafia by the Aam Aadmi Party government will also be prominently discussed," he added.
Cheema also stated that the party will focus on discussing 'Panthic' issues, particularly the attempts being made to weaken Sikh religious institutions.
"We will expose those involved in this conspiracy and appeal to the entire Panth to support the SAD, which has always stood as a bulwark for Sikh pride and prestige," he added.