Skip to Main content

15.6°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports 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

AlbertaMay 13, 2026

Edmonton court hears evidence of prior dog attack at trial over death of 11-year-old boy

An Edmonton court heard testimony Wednesday about a previous violent dog attack involving two Cane Corsos at the centre of a criminal negligence trial tied to the death of an 11-year-old boy. Shawn Hesse testified that in 2023, his Pomeranian escaped from his property and ran toward the two dogs later involved in the death of Kache Grist. According to Hesse, the Cane Corsos grabbed the smaller dog from opposite sides and attempted to tear it apart. Hesse told the court he rushed the injured Pomeranian to a veterinarian, but the dog later died from its injuries. The Cane Corsos were owned by Cr

poilievre-calls-for-immigration-ministers-removal-over-expiring-visa-concerns

CanadaMay 13, 2026

Poilievre calls for immigration minister’s removal over expiring visa concerns

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for Immigration Minister Lena Diab to be removed from cabinet, accusing the Liberal government of failing to manage Canada’s immigration system as millions of temporary visas approach expiry. Speaking about immigration and labour pressures, Poilievre alleged the federal government does not have a clear plan to track or manage people whose visas are expiring. He claimed there is no effective system in place to determine who has left Canada after their visa expired and who may still be in the country. Poilievre also accused Prime Minister Mark Ca

surrey-man-charged-with-multiple-firearm-offences-after-traffic-stop-in-city-centre

Surrey man charged with multiple firearm offences after traffic stop in City Centre

A 24-year-old Surrey man is facing several firearm-related charges following a vehicle stop by Surrey Police Service officers in the City Centre area Sunday evening. According to Surrey Police Service, officers with the Crime Reduction Unit stopped a vehicle near 146 Street and 108 Avenue at about 7:45 p.m. on May 11 for a traffic-related infraction. During the investigation, police allege one of the occupants was found in possession of a firearm. Police said Gurwinder Singh has been charged with seven Criminal Code offences, including possession of a loaded restricted or prohibited firearm, c

cbsa-launches-hundreds-of-immigration-investigations-linked-to-extortion-networks-across-canada

CanadaMay 13, 2026

CBSA launches hundreds of immigration investigations linked to extortion networks across Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency says it has launched hundreds of immigration investigations tied to alleged extortion networks operating across Canada, with dozens of foreign nationals already deported as part of the enforcement effort. According to information shared during a public safety roundtable in British Columbia, the agency had opened 446 immigration investigations nationwide as of May 7 involving foreign nationals suspected of participating in or being connected to extortion-related activities. The CBSA said 118 removal orders have been issued following those investigations, while

AlbertaMay 12, 2026

Elections Alberta says Centurion Project leader not co-operating in voter list leak probe

Elections Alberta says the man linked to a major voter information leak has not co-operated with an ongoing investigation into the unauthorized use of the province’s official voter registry. In a statement, the agency said Centurion Project leader David Parker has not complied with a cease-and-desist letter issued last week. The letter required Parker to sign a declaration confirming he would stop using Alberta’s official voter list, which contains the names and addresses of nearly three million residents. According to Elections Alberta, investigators identified the Centurion Project as th

Related News

AAP protests outside BJP offices in Punjab over ED action against Sanjeev Arora

AAP protests outside BJP offices in Punjab over ED action against Sanjeev Arora

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged protests outside Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district offices across Punjab on Monday following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) arrest of Punjab cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora in a money laundering case. Party workers raised slogans against the BJP and accused the central government of using investigative agencies for political purposes. Tense situations were reported in several locations where AAP and BJP workers gathered during the demonstrations. However, no major clashes or arrests had been officially confirmed at publication time. Punjab Finance Mini

Bhagwant Mann’s cousin Gyan Singh Mann joins BJP

Bhagwant Mann’s cousin Gyan Singh Mann joins BJP

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cousin, Gyan Singh Mann, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party. Gyan Singh Mann was inducted into the BJP in Chandigarh in the presence of Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Speaking after joining the party, Gyan Singh Mann said he had joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014 but claimed the party changed after forming the government in Punjab in 2022. He alleged that the AAP had shifted from being “a party of ordinary workers to a party of special interests” and crit

BJP Sends Defamation Notice to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

BJP Sends Defamation Notice to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

The Bharatiya Janata Party has issued a legal notice to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging defamation over remarks linking the party to recent explosions in Jalandhar and Amritsar. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said the notice accuses the chief minister of making allegations without evidence and seeks action related to criminal defamation, spreading false information, and attempting to incite public unrest. The development follows comments made by Mann a day earlier, in which he alleged that such incidents were being used as political tactics ahead of elections in Punja

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital