Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Saturday said the cleaning of the Sutlej and Beas rivers would be among their top priorities if voted to power in Punjab elections early next year.
He asserted that not even a single drop of industrial waste or untreated sewage would be allowed to flow into Punjab’s rivers if his party forms the government.
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Addressing a rally at Bhai Rupa village in the Rampura Phul as part of the party’s Punjab Bachao campaign, Sukhbir said, “Polluted water is the reason for the spread of cancer in Malwa. I am committed to ending this scourge once and for all.”
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Former minister and senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia also lashed out at the state’s AAP government, saying that it was trying to “purchase” votes at the fag end of its tenure by deciding to give Rs 1,000 per month to women.
Sukhbir accused the AAP government of promoting “gunda raj” and failing to rein in drug traffickers.
Promising strict action against gangsters, Sukhbir said they would be declared terrorists and special legislation would be enacted to deny them bail. “Their entire properties will be seized,” he added. He also criticised the Congress and the BJP, alleging that they lacked genuine concern for Punjab. Sukhbir also promised tubewell connections to all farmers. He thanked former Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka and another party leader Harinder Singh Mehraj for the large turnout.
Maluka had rejoined the SAD in June last year. He was expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities in July 2024. Sukhbir appealed to the public to elect Maluka as their MLA, hinting that he would be contesting from Rampura Phul