Skip to Main content

10.22°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos 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

BC Election Final Count Begins Friday, Recounts Ordered in Two Ridings

Elections BC will begin the final count of last month’s provincial election on Friday. Although the BC Conservatives secured a majority government by winning 63 of the 93 seats, the margins between leading candidates remain fewer than 200 votes in four ridings. Nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots will be counted during the final counting process, with the final results expected to be announced by November 10. Elections BC has ordered recounts in two ridings where the margin between candidates is fewer than 100 votes. These include Burnaby South-Metrotown, where the NDP candidate is leading by jus

IndiaNov 05, 2026

High Court Directs Punjab Government to Submit LPU Violence Report to Centre Within 72 Hours

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to submit its report to the Centre within 72 hours, a month after violent protests took place at Lovely Professional University (LPU). The Centre will now decide whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should investigate the offence registered by Punjab Police under the IT Act. The direction came after Punjab Police reportedly found material during its ongoing investigation indicating a possible link to cyberterrorism. Scheduling the next hearing for November 17, the court emphasized that, given the sensitivity of the

Vancouver Rents End 34-Month Annual Decline, Rise 0.2% in October

The nearly three-year decline in apartment and condo rents in Vancouver has come to an end. According to the latest report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, average asking rents in Vancouver increased by 0.2 per cent year-over-year in October, marking the first annual increase in 34 months. Rents reached an average of $2,735. Similarly, rents in Toronto, Canada's second-most expensive rental market, rose by 1.6 per cent to $2,590 after declining for 32 consecutive months. On a month-over-month basis, Toronto recorded the highest rental increase among Canada's six largest markets, with rents rising

storm-threatens-b-c-s-coastal-regions-with-heavy-rainfall-and-strong-wind-warnings

Storm Threatens B.C.’s Coastal Regions, With Heavy Rainfall and Strong Wind Warnings

A powerful storm is expected to hit British Columbia’s coastal regions, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 120 millimetres in some areas. Environment Canada has issued heavy rainfall warnings for western and inland parts of Vancouver Island, where rainfall could reach 10 millimetres per hour for several consecutive hours. According to the weather agency, the heaviest rainfall is expected in northern areas near Tofino, including Port Alice and Zeballos. Heavy rain is also forecast for the Central Coast, including Bella Coola. Meanwhile, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h are expecte

AlbertaNov 05, 2026

Alberta Government Concerned Over U.S. Midterm Election Results

Following the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the U.S. midterm elections, experts and political leaders in Alberta are assessing the potential impact on Canada, particularly the province. American voters also voiced strong opposition to political parties manipulating electoral maps. Alberta’s NDP has compared the issue to the ongoing controversy over the province’s proposed new electoral boundaries. Premier Danielle Smith said the U.S. midterm results reinforced her government’s approach to dealing with tariffs. Her government has emphasized diplomacy and negotiations to strengthen rela

Related News

High Court Directs Punjab Government to Submit LPU Violence Report to Centre Within 72 Hours

High Court Directs Punjab Government to Submit LPU Violence Report to Centre Within 72 Hours

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to submit its report to the Centre within 72 hours, a month after violent protests took place at Lovely Professional University (LPU). The Centre will now decide whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should investigate the offence registered by Punjab Police under the IT Act. The direction came after Punjab Police reportedly found material during its ongoing investigation indicating a possible link to cyberterrorism. Scheduling the next hearing for November 17, the court emphasized that, given the sensitivity of the

Punjab Government Accepts Major Demands in Jhotta Murder Case

Punjab Government Accepts Major Demands in Jhotta Murder Case

An agreement has been reached between the Punjab government and the Justice Action Committee following a lengthy meeting over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta in Mansa. Under the agreement, the government has accepted all major demands except the call for the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP. Following the agreement, Jhotta’s family has agreed to perform his last rites. It was also decided that his post-mortem examination will be conducted at PGI Chandigarh on November 6. The agreement was reached during a meeting with Punjab Assembly Speaker Kulta

ED Raids AAP MLA Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora’s Residences in Punjab

ED Raids AAP MLA Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora’s Residences in Punjab

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids at two residences linked to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Moga MLA and Punjab women’s wing president Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora. The searches also extended to Ashirwad Mental Health and Drug De-addiction Private Hospital in Bagha Purana, in which she is a partner, and her parental village of Chandumajra near Patiala. Dr. Arora was present at her residence during the raids, where ED officials questioned her. The action comes months ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with AAP having already announced her candidature from the Moga con

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital