Skip to Main content

4.68°^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

calgary-committee-backs-motion-to-scrap-blanket-rezoning-ahead-of-full-council-vote

AlbertaNov 17, 2025

Calgary committee backs motion to scrap blanket rezoning ahead of full council vote

Calgary’s executive committee has endorsed a motion from Mayor Jeromy Farkas to roll back the city’s blanket rezoning bylaw, setting the stage for a final decision by full council on December 15. The move begins the formal process to undo a housing policy approved earlier this year under former mayor Jyoti Gondek. The bylaw, adopted in April 2024, allowed fourplexes and rowhouses on all residential lots without requiring individual public hearings or neighbourhood-level consultation. Council approved the changes despite strong opposition from residents who argued the citywide approach w

alberta-cabinet-minister-apologizes-after-voicemail-with-expletive-becomes-public

AlbertaNov 17, 2025

Alberta cabinet minister apologizes after voicemail with expletive becomes public

Alberta cabinet minister Tanya Fir has issued a public apology after a voicemail she left for a Calgary constituent captured her using an expletive once she believed the call had ended. Fir, who serves as minister of arts, culture and Status of Women, acknowledged the remark in a written statement and described it as a lapse in judgment. The voicemail, released over the weekend by Alberta columnist Doug Firby, begins with Fir returning a constituent’s call and referencing feedback she had received. After offering a goodbye, the line remains open as she turns to speak with someone nearby. In

WorldNov 17, 2025

Australian Paralympic champion Paige Greco dies at age 28

Australian para-cyclist Paige Greco, a gold medalist from the Tokyo Paralympics, has died following what officials described as a sudden medical episode at her home in Adelaide on Sunday. She was 28. Greco, who lived with cerebral palsy, captured international attention in 2021 when she won the first gold medal awarded at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, breaking her own world record on the track. She went on to earn two bronze medals in the road race and individual time trial. Paralympics Australia and the national cycling federation said her family is grieving the unexpected loss, remembering her

langley-rcmp-search-for-two-suspects-after-hit-and-run-involving-unmarked-police-vehicle

Langley RCMP search for two suspects after hit and run involving unmarked police vehicle

Police in Langley say they are looking for two people who ran from the scene of a hit and run that involved an unmarked Abbotsford Police vehicle late Friday evening. The collision took place around 7:20 p.m. in the 5200 block of 264 Street, an area that links rural Langley to several major Fraser Valley routes. Investigators say a white GMC Canyon pickup struck the unmarked vehicle, injuring the officer inside. The officer was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released. Members of both Langley RCMP and the Abbotsford Police Department responded to the sce

surrey-police-ask-for-public-help-to-find-missing-84-year-old-man

CanadaNov 17, 2025

Surrey police ask for public help to find missing 84-year-old man

Surrey Police Service is asking the public for help to locate 84-year-old Won Kil Kim, who has been missing since early Sunday morning. Police say he was last seen around 7 a.m. on November 16 in the 10300 block of 155A Street in northeast Surrey. Family members told officers Kim had planned to travel to a church in Burnaby before heading to the Grouse Mountain area for a hike, but investigators say it is not clear whether he reached either location. Police note that he may have been carrying two hiking poles, though his clothing is unknown. Kim is described as a Korean man, about five foot fi

Related News

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

60.95 per cent voter turnout recorded in Tarn Taran by-election

60.95 per cent voter turnout recorded in Tarn Taran by-election

The Tarn Taran assembly constituency in Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 60.95 per cent during Tuesday’s by-election, according to election officials. Polling took place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. under tight security arrangements across the constituency. The seat fell vacant following the death of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June. A total of 15 candidates contested the by-election, with 1,92,838 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots. Officials said 222 polling stations were set up at 114 locations to facilitate the voting process. Counting of votes will take place on

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital