Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) today formally launched its Chandigarh unit at a press conference here, announcing its intention to contest the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections and the Chandigarh Parliamentary seat in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing the media, S. Gurjeet Singh Talwandi, General Secretary and Party Observer (Chandigarh), said that Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, geographically and socially. He strongly criticised the Badal faction, stating that under the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal as President party abandoned people of Chandigarh and its Akali workers.
Their ill-informed policies left the Akali cadre demoralised either sitting at home or having joined other parties. He said under instructions of party president Giani Harpreet Singh (former Jathedar Akal Takath) and as per the 2nd December 2024 Hukamnama of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, we have successfully been able to get all Akali factions on one platform.
He said we have made zone incharge’s and they will be reaching out till grassroot level and within one month we will announce party structure. Senior leaders who addressed the press conference included S. Gurnam Singh Sidhu (Former President, SAD Chandigarh), S. Patwant Singh Riar (Former President, SAD Chandigarh), S. Mohinder Singh (Former Deputy Mayor, Chandigarh), and S. Amrinder Singh (ex-Member, SGPC UT).
The party leadership issued a call to all Panthic organisations and villages of Chandigarh to come forward and join this movement, stating that due to the absence of a regional party, the voice of Chandigarh's people has gone unheard.
They affirmed that the party will approach all societies and organisations in Chandigarh to take feedback and voice their concerns, reiterating their commitment to filling the void left by the Badal faction and giving Chandigarh the political representation it deserves.
They said we are entering Chandigarh domain with core agenda. The party outlined a comprehensive agenda built around issues that have been pending for decades but have received no attention from successive Administrations. For surrounding villages they asked for land pooling policy should be having both acquiring option as per Gujrat model or market value compensation for owners. Villages should be developed as model villages.
Further demanded 300 units of free electricity and 30,000 litres of free water per month for families earning below a threshold of Rs. 30,000 per month. On the issue of identity and governance, the party demanded that Punjabi be made the official language of Chandigarh and that posts in the UT Administration be filled in the 60:40 ratio for Punjab and Haryana as stipulated by the Punjab and Haryana Reorganisation Act, 1966.
The leaders pointed out that out of 11 lakh people in Chandigarh, 90 per cent speak Punjabi yet the language has not even been recognised as the second language. The party vowed an aspirational vision for Chandigarh as a vibrant, globally competitive "24-Hour City" and a European style shopping village in sector 17 giving a thriving economy, extended business hours and a dynamic environment attracting youth, entrepreneurs, and tourists.
They asked for a friendly industrial policy for MSME’s and specifically relaxed conversion norms for industrial to commercial plots in industrial area and demanded immediate conversion of commercial and industrial plots which are on 99-year leasehold to freehold.
Jointly they said we feel Chandigarh has not reached its full potential and we bow to bring world class infrastructure reforming ISBT, Railway Station, expanding Airport and other High tech civic amenities. Concluding the press conference Talwandi said we are also in talks with like minded parties for alliance in Chandigarh rest assured we will only proceed on a Common minimum programme based on our vision and prioritising demands of people of Chandigarh.
Other than above eminent leaders present were Baba Gurdial Singh khuda Ali sher, Kirpal Singh and Jaspal Singh from Gurudwara sec 40, Balbir Singh and Dharma Singh Manimajra, Avtar Singh Ram darbar, Baldev Singh Kalsi Ramgarhia Bhawan, Jaspreet Singh Jassal Sector 7 Gurudwara, Davinder Singh Sigligar Ram Darbar, and Sukhchain Singh and Rattan Singh from Gursagar Gurudwara Sukhna near Lake.