Ludhiana: A large gathering was witnessed at a rally addressed by Sukhbir Singh Badal in Koomkalan on the outskirts of Ludhiana, where leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal claimed that more than 10,000 supporters attended the event.
According to party sources, over 200 buses were arranged by workers to bring supporters from nearby areas to the rally venue. Several senior Akali leaders were also present on the stage.
Addressing the gathering, Sahnewal leader Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said the turnout reflected continued support for the party despite being out of power for the past nine years. He gave a call to “save Punjab” and alleged that the state needed to be rescued from the current ruling government.
Criticising the administration, Dhillon accused the government of pushing Punjab towards instability and alleged rising crime and corruption in government departments.
Senior Akali leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal said that Sukhbir Badal had faced many political challenges and always stood at the forefront of the party’s struggles. He claimed that if people wanted to protect Punjab’s interests, Badal remained the only viable option.
During the rally, party leaders raised slogans such as “Punjab bachavange, Takkri jitavange” and called for a change in government.
Beginning his address with the Sikh greeting “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,” Badal said people vote every five years with the hope that a government will come to power that understands their aspirations.
Referring to the 1966 reorganisation that created Punjab and Haryana, he said nearly six decades had passed since then. Badal alleged that the Indian National Congress ruled the state for about 25 years during that period, after which his father Parkash Singh Badal served as chief minister, and now a “different style of leadership” had come to power in the state.
