Sukhbir Badal to Contest 2027 Punjab Elections Amid Party Strife and Legal Challenges

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal will contest from the Gidderbaha assembly constituency for the 2027 Punjab elections, as announced during the inauguration of a new party office. Meanwhile, SAD leader Majithia's bail plea in a money laundering case was denied, amid claims of political vendetta.

In a strategic move ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal announced his candidacy for the Gidderbaha constituency on Monday. The declaration was made during the inauguration of a new party office in the area.

The announcement follows intense encouragement from party activists, according to a press statement from the SAD. During the event, Badal warned that individuals who previously betrayed the party, such as Hardeep Singh Dhillon, would not be reinstated. He also engaged with local candidates for the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections, describing the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections as a significant challenge for the party.

Simultaneously, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied bail to SAD leader Bikramjit Singh Majithia, arrested in connection with a money laundering case. Additional Advocate General Ferry Sofat explained that funds were funneled through shell companies, with transactions linked back to Cyprus, fueling further allegations of a targeted political vendetta by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government.

(With inputs from agencies.)