Dera Bassi , March 30
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday asserted that his party would form the next government in Punjab and transform the Mohali–Zirakpur–Dera Bassi–New Chandigarh–Kharar belt into a major financial hub on the lines of Mumbai and Gurugram.
Addressing a rally, Badal outlined an ambitious development plan for the region, which includes setting up an IT hub, promoting tourism projects, and establishing an industrial hub in Dera Bassi. He also proposed a metro rail network to connect the entire belt, along with upgraded road infrastructure and modern solid waste management systems.
Highlighting the party’s past achievements, Badal said the previous SAD government had placed Mohali on the global map by establishing an international airport and pledged to take development further if voted to power in 2027.
In a political attack, Badal alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress had previously supported each other in local body elections and would likely contest the 2027 Assembly polls together. He accused both parties of setting Punjab back by decades and urged voters to support a regional party.
He also criticised AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly misleading people by claiming that welfare schemes would be discontinued if AAP lost power. Badal countered that many of the existing welfare schemes were originally launched by SAD and alleged that the current government had reduced or scrapped several benefits.
During the rally, senior SAD leader N K Sharma raised local development demands, including the establishment of a hospital in Zirakpur, provision of canal water for drinking, development of a tourist attraction in Chhatbir, creation of a sub-tehsil in Handesra, and a girls’ college in Lalru. Badal assured that these demands would be addressed and announced that Sharma would be given the finance portfolio if SAD forms the next government.
Outlining broader plans, Badal said that all farmers without tubewell connections would be provided the facility along with 12 hours of daytime electricity. He also promised the establishment of a World Skill University to train one lakh youth annually, interest-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh for young people, free education up to graduation level, and a 75 percent subsidy for those setting up livestock farms, including dairy and poultry units.
