SAD plans indefinite sit-in; Sukhbir Badal urges deserters to rejoin party

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday decided to launch an indefinite sit-in from September 1 against the state government’s land pooling policy.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the party’s working and core committees at its headquarters here.

It was also decided that SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal will lead the first “jatha” of SAD leaders and workers from Amb Sahib Gurdwara in Mohali to the Panchayat Bhawan, which he referred to as the “new Sheesh Mahal” of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal.

Sukhbir also accused ruling AAP of striking a “multi-crore deal” with Delhi-based builders to “fund its political expansion” at the cost of Punjab farmers.

The SAD president said “jathas” of 500 party workers from each Assembly constituency in the state would participate in the indefinite dharna till the land pooling scheme was  withdrawn.

A three-member coordination committee, comprising Daljit Singh Cheema, NK Sharma, and Parminder Singh Sohana, has been formed to oversee the protest.

He also promised that if the AAP government did not roll back the scheme, the SAD would withdraw it if voted to power in the 2027 Assembly poll. He said on returning to power, the party’s government would enact a special law to restore the acquired land to farmers.

Sukhbir also urged estranged Akali leaders to return to the party, citing the recent call for unity by the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat for the Sikhs.

“I appeal with folded hands to all Akali leaders to forgive me if I have hurt them in any way and re-join the party to strengthen the Panth and Punjab,” the SAD president added.