Skip to Main content

5.53°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Oct 10, 2024 7:42 PM - Connect Newsroom – Mandeep Sandhu

Sukhbir Badal is also active in Panchayat elections in Punjab

Share On

sukhbir-badal-is-also-active-in-panchayat-elections-in-punjab

Badal said that he had never seen such bullying against the opposition in his 40 years of political journey. (Photo: Facebook/Sukhbir Singh Badal)

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of widespread intimidation during the ongoing panchayat elections, warning that the ruling party will “pay a heavy price” in the upcoming Giddarbaha by-election.

Speaking to reporters, Badal said that in his four decades of political life, he had never witnessed such levels of bullying and pressure tactics against opposition candidates. He alleged that the state government was misusing administrative power to suppress democratic participation in rural areas.

Meanwhile, controversy has erupted in Tarn Taran district after Gurpal Dhotian, who faces charges related to an alleged illicit liquor case, was elected unopposed as panch of Dhotian village with reported backing from the ruling AAP. Local reports suggest no other candidate filed nomination papers against him, and he was supported by state minister Laljit Singh Bhullar.

The allegations come as the Punjab and Haryana High Court has already stayed panchayat elections in nearly 300 villages over similar complaints of irregularities and intimidation. The state election commission has yet to respond to the latest developments.

Latest news

six-more-ucp-mlas-face-recall-efforts-raising-questions-about-government-majority

AlbertaNov 24, 2025

Six more UCP MLAs face recall efforts, raising questions about government majority

Six additional members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are now the subject of recall petitions, according to Elections Alberta, marking a significant expansion of efforts to challenge sitting government lawmakers. The new approvals bring the total number of UCP MLAs under recall to nine. The most recent petitions target four cabinet ministers – Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and RJ Sigurdson – along with House Speaker Ric McIver and Associate Minister for Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen. Earlier this month, petitions were authorized against Education M

migrant-advocates-urge-federal-government-to-withdraw-proposed-border-security-law

CanadaNov 24, 2025

Migrant advocates urge federal government to withdraw proposed border security law

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week. The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with

woman-injured-after-shots-fired-at-surrey-home-under-police-investigation

CanadaNov 24, 2025

Woman injured after shots fired at Surrey home under police investigation

Surrey Police Service is examining a neighbourhood in the city’s north end after a woman was hurt in a shooting outside a home late Sunday night. Officers were called around 9:11 p.m. to the 12100 block of 101B Avenue following reports of gunfire near the residence. Police say the woman, who was inside the home at the time, was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening. Several other people were present but were not harmed. Investigators remained on site through Monday to review physical evidence and gather any available security footage. SPS reports that the m

search-continues-for-grizzly-after-bella-coola-school-group-attacked-nuxalk-nation-raises-support-funds

Search continues for grizzly after Bella Coola school group attacked, Nuxalk Nation raises support funds

British Columbia conservation officers say they are continuing to search the Bella Coola Valley for the grizzly bear involved in a sudden attack on an elementary school group last week. Three students and a teacher were hospitalized on Thursday after the bear charged a group of about 20 people who had stopped for lunch during a field trip. Officials now believe the incident likely involved a mother grizzly with two cubs, a situation that can increase defensive behaviour. Conservation officers have placed traps in the area and are urging residents and visitors to avoid nearby forested trails wh

snowfall-warning-in-southeastern-b-c-as-weekend-storm-drenches-south-coast

Snowfall warning in southeastern B.C. as weekend storm drenches south coast

Environment Canada is cautioning travellers in southeastern British Columbia as a winter storm brings up to 20 centimetres of snow to the Elk Valley region near the Alberta border. The agency says the heaviest bands are expected around Fernie, with conditions easing later this evening as the system moves east. The advisory stretches across Alberta’s southern boundary with the United States and into parts of southern Saskatchewan. The weather office says the snowfall is tied to a low-pressure system tracking across the Prairies, creating challenging conditions on highways frequently used by t

Related News

ECI seeks explanation from Punjab police chief over FIRs linked to Tarn Taran bypoll

ECI seeks explanation from Punjab police chief over FIRs linked to Tarn Taran bypoll

The Election Commission of India has directed Punjab’s Director General of Police to appear before the poll authority on November 25 after a series of police cases were filed against workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal during the Tarn Taran by-election campaign. Officials say the order was issued after the commission reviewed a detailed report submitted by the state police on November 13, one day before results were announced. According to information provided to the commission, nine FIRs were registered in separate police districts over the course of the campaign. The cases were lodged in Ta

AAP secures decisive win in Tarn Taran bypoll as Harmeet Singh Sandhu leads by wide margin

AAP secures decisive win in Tarn Taran bypoll as Harmeet Singh Sandhu leads by wide margin

The Aam Aadmi Party has strengthened its position in Punjab after winning the Tarn Taran assembly by-election with a significant lead. According to the final count released today, AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu secured 42,649 votes, finishing well ahead of his competitors in a closely watched contest. Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa of Shiromani Akali Dal placed second with 30,558 votes, trailing Sandhu by 12,091 votes. The election saw participation from multiple parties, with Mandeep Singh of Waris Punjab De finishing third with 19,620 votes. Congress candidate Kanwarveer Singh Burj followed in

Punjab Government Makes Approval Mandatory for Sarpanches and Panch Members to Travel Abroad

Punjab Government Makes Approval Mandatory for Sarpanches and Panch Members to Travel Abroad

The Punjab government has introduced a new policy requiring village sarpanches and panchayat members to obtain official approval before travelling abroad. The Rural Development and Panchayats Department has circulated instructions to all District Development and Panchayat Officers as well as Additional Deputy Commissioners across the state to ensure implementation. According to the directive, many elected representatives from panchayati raj institutions often travel overseas for personal reasons, which can delay or disrupt ongoing development work in villages. To prevent such administrative sl

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital