Chandigarh, July 1: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday launched a blistering attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging a conspiracy to “snatch Punjab’s land” under the guise of new development policies.
Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, Badal questioned the state government’s fresh land acquisition policy and the creation of the Punjab Development Authority Committee, alleging it was designed to enable officials from Delhi to cheaply acquire farmers’ ancestral lands. He accused the Mann government of surrendering Punjab’s interests to external influences, stating, “Are Delhi officials now going to make plans for Punjab? Does the Chief Minister have no role left? This is a direct insult to Punjab’s farmers.”
Badal revealed that the newly formed five-member committee for development projects does not include CM Bhagwant Mann or any Punjab ministers. Only Punjab’s Chief Secretary is part of the panel, while the other four members — Anurag Kundu, Shaukat Rai, Vaibhav Maheshwari, and Seema Maheshwari — hail from Delhi and allegedly have no connection to Punjab.
The SAD chief claimed the government plans to forcibly acquire farmlands under the 1995 Land Acquisition Act, later selling the land to private players to fill state coffers. He declared, “Shiromani Akali Dal will never allow this land loot to happen at any cost. We will protect every inch of Punjab’s land.”
Badal announced a large-scale agitation beginning July 15 in Ludhiana to oppose the government’s land acquisition policy. He said protests would be staged in several districts where significant tracts of land are allegedly being targeted for acquisition, including Ludhiana, Mohali, Amritsar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Sangrur, Moga, Nawanshahr, Firozpur, Barnala, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Batala, Phagwara, Tarn Taran, Sultanpur Lodhi, Nakodar, and Gurdaspur.
Calling on the public to join the protest, Badal asserted that the Akali Dal stands firmly with farmers, labourers, and common citizens of Punjab. He stressed that this is not merely a political battle but a fight to protect Punjab’s identity, land, and rights. “We will not let Punjab fall into the hands of Delhi. We will fight from the courts to the streets. This is a fight for Punjab’s identity, land, and rights,” he declared.
The SAD chief claimed the government plans to forcibly acquire farmlands under the 1995 Land Acquisition Act, later selling the land to private players to fill state coffers. He declared, “Shiromani Akali Dal will never allow this land loot to happen at any cost. We will protect every inch of Punjab’s land.”
Badal announced a large-scale agitation beginning July 15 in Ludhiana to oppose the government’s land acquisition policy. He said protests would be staged in several districts where significant tracts of land are allegedly being targeted for acquisition, including Ludhiana, Mohali, Amritsar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Sangrur, Moga, Nawanshahr, Firozpur, Barnala, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Batala, Phagwara, Tarn Taran, Sultanpur Lodhi, Nakodar, and Gurdaspur.
Calling on the public to join the protest, Badal asserted that the Akali Dal stands firmly with farmers, labourers, and common citizens of Punjab. He stressed that this is not merely a political battle but a fight to protect Punjab’s identity, land, and rights. “We will not let Punjab fall into the hands of Delhi. We will fight from the courts to the streets. This is a fight for Punjab’s identity, land, and rights,” he declared.
