The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a former partner of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has revived an old demand that Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking districts be transferred to the state of Punjab. SAD (Badal) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member who broke out with the ruling party in the aftermath of the farmers’ movement, made the demand. The SAD (Badal) has made this demand at a time when the BJP is dominating Punjab’s neighboring Haryana under Manohar Lal Khattar. The SAD (Badal), which ruled Punjab with the BJP for a decade before losing the 2017 elections, now finds itself fighting the BJP, the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). “Prime Ministers have been visiting Punjab in the hope of redressing the injustices perpetrated on the province by successive central governments. In a tweet, former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal said, “I encourage PM @narendramodi to make a difference on Jan 5 by moving Chandigarh, Pbi speaking areas, and granting our Riparian right over rivers.”Badal also expressed his delight at the opening of a specialized hospital in Ferozepur, claiming that he had worked hard to make it happen.
SAD, BSP to fight Chandigarh civic body elections together
“I am delighted that PM Narendra Modi would inaugurate the PGI Satellite Centre Ferozepur, a much-needed medical facility for the border zone that I secured with considerable difficulty.” In another tweet, he wrote, “I urge rapid completion of the project.” While the SAD is pressing an issue that it believes is in Punjab’s best interests, Haryana has always resisted the demand that Chandigarh be transferred to its neighboring state. According to political scientist Rajesh Jha, Chandigarh has developed a strong emotional dimension throughout time. “Punjab has legitimate grievances. At the same time, this should not be used as a means of gaining an electoral advantage. He continued, “The Centre should make attempts to develop a political agreement on the subject.”
