Sukhbir Badal stages dharna over rejection of SAD candidates in panchayat polls

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal led a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, opposing the rejection of pro-SAD sarpanch and panchayat candidate nominations in the upcoming panchayat polls.

Badal accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of “bullying” and claimed that the rejections occurred after the nominations were initially accepted.

During the two-hour sit-in, Badal specifically pointed to Gidderbaha and Muktsar, where he said the interference had “crossed all limits.” According to him, only AAP candidates were allowed to proceed, while other candidates’ papers were first handed back to covering candidates and later rejected entirely.

Badal issued a stern warning, stating that SAD would take legal action, from the Deputy Commissioner of Muktsar to the returning officers, and pursue a CBI inquiry.

He said that complaints would be lodged with the Election Commission, threatening that all involved would face consequences.