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Punjab
Punjab, a state in the northern part of India, has a dynamic and complex political landscape characterized by its vibrant democracy, diverse population, and a history of both agricultural prosperity and socio-political challenges. The state's political profile is shaped by its unique cultural, religious, and economic contexts, making it a significant player in India's broader political narrative.
The political scene in Punjab is predominantly dominated by two major parties: the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), along with a significant presence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in recent years. The SAD, in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has historically been a major force, drawing support from the Sikh community and capitalizing on issues such as Sikh rights and regional autonomy. However, the INC, with its broader national appeal, has also enjoyed significant support by focusing on issues like economic development, social welfare, and secularism.
The entry of AAP into Punjab politics has introduced a new dynamic, appealing to voters with promises of clean governance, education reform, and health care improvements. This has disrupted the traditional two-party competition, leading to a more fragmented and competitive political environment.
Punjab's politics are deeply influenced by its agrarian economy, with agricultural policies and land rights being hot-button issues. The state has been at the forefront of various farmer-led protests, especially against the central government's agricultural reforms introduced in 2020, showcasing the political mobilization capacity of its agrarian community.
Furthermore, issues such as drug abuse, unemployment, and environmental sustainability have also shaped the political discourse, with parties and leaders being evaluated on their responses to these challenges. The state's history of insurgency in the 1980s and its impact on social fabric and politics cannot be overlooked, as it still influences the political rhetoric and public sentiment to some extent.
The political scene in Punjab is predominantly dominated by two major parties: the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), along with a significant presence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in recent years. The SAD, in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has historically been a major force, drawing support from the Sikh community and capitalizing on issues such as Sikh rights and regional autonomy. However, the INC, with its broader national appeal, has also enjoyed significant support by focusing on issues like economic development, social welfare, and secularism.
The entry of AAP into Punjab politics has introduced a new dynamic, appealing to voters with promises of clean governance, education reform, and health care improvements. This has disrupted the traditional two-party competition, leading to a more fragmented and competitive political environment.
Punjab's politics are deeply influenced by its agrarian economy, with agricultural policies and land rights being hot-button issues. The state has been at the forefront of various farmer-led protests, especially against the central government's agricultural reforms introduced in 2020, showcasing the political mobilization capacity of its agrarian community.
Furthermore, issues such as drug abuse, unemployment, and environmental sustainability have also shaped the political discourse, with parties and leaders being evaluated on their responses to these challenges. The state's history of insurgency in the 1980s and its impact on social fabric and politics cannot be overlooked, as it still influences the political rhetoric and public sentiment to some extent.
PUNJAB NEWS
‘Getting drugs like Zomato order’: His son dead, a Punjab cop’s helplessness
February 18, 2026 4:44 am
Getting drugs, says Head Constable Ashok Kumar Saini — who lost his son Akash last Friday, just a day after he had been released from his latest rehab stint — is “like ordering from Zomato”.
Education clerical staff protest in Mohali over pay cut; warn of shutting down dept work
February 17, 2026 9:19 pm
The protest was held against a reported monthly pay cut of Rs 31,000 and the non-issuance of regularisation orders pending since April 1, 2018.
190 trains vs 3,000 vehicles: How 4-lane Doraha ROB will solve decades of congestion on Malwa-Chandigarh route
February 17, 2026 6:44 pm
Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu launched the Rs 70.55-crore Doraha ROB project and highlighted several massive rail projects in Punjab.
Winning 3 tractors, 3 bikes, Rs 50k twice in just 2 months: 5-year-old Rafael is no ordinary cow
February 17, 2026 1:27 pm
The five-year-old Holstein Friesian (HF) bovine has to her credit an astounding record of producing 79.215 kilograms of milk in a single day, and taking centre stage by securing first position at north India’s premier livestock competitions.
Bone collector, a well, 282 bodies: Honour for scientist who joined dots to 1857
February 17, 2026 4:55 pm
Panjab University’s J S Sehrawat is now Fellow of American Academy of Forensic Sciences, after a decade-long work on bodies found in an Amritsar well
‘Ruling AAP’s rally’ or ‘govt’s official event’? Political storm after Punjab DGP, chief secy share stage with Kejriwal
February 17, 2026 6:50 pm
While the Punjab government claimed that the gathering was an official "state-level event", the Opposition said that the gathering was nothing but “AAP's political rally”, where the DGP and chief secretary also shared the stage with politicos.
Punjab BJP leader and party hopper makes 'homecoming' to SAD: Who is Arvind Khanna
February 16, 2026 6:35 pm
Ex-MLA has business interests in defence, real estate, hospitality and sports; he also heads Umeed Foundation, which works in healthcare and social empowerment
Reaping gold from ‘black carrots’: Abohar woman takes Punjab’s ‘kaali gaajar kaanji’ to US, Canada, Ireland
February 17, 2026 12:43 pm
In the times when such traditional recipes are nearly forgotten, a woman from Punjab’s border town Abohar (Fazilka), is not just keeping the rare drink alive within the country, but has also taken it offshore with exports to Canada, US and Ireland, and soon Australia too.
Changing Cities | From tractors to Taj: how farmland gave way to footfall, and sparked the rise of ‘mini-Toronto’
February 15, 2026 6:44 pm
Approximately 3,000 people have found direct and indirect employment through the entertainment and retail ecosystem — HG Eaton Plaza in Handiaya village in Punjab's Barnala district.
Sahney seeks Rs 5 crore AIF cap, release of Punjab’s RDF
February 14, 2026 10:57 am
Regarding the AIF, Sahney said the current Rs 2-crore interest-subvention project limit is inadequate for establishing modern cold storage facilities, grading units, and warehouses.
PUNJAB PHOTOS
Punjab radical leader Amritpal Singh's aide walks out of jail
February 25, 2023 9:19 am
Strong winds from stubble-burning areas deteriorate Delhi's AQI; AAP govt reacts
November 04, 2022 7:09 pm
Data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) Friday showed that air quality has deteriorated significantly due to strong upper level (700-1000 m) wind blowing towards Delhi from stubble-burning areas.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann ties the knot with Gurpreet Kaur
July 07, 2022 3:50 pm
In a low-key ceremony with only a few invited guests, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will marry Gurpreet Kaur, a doctor, at his home on Thursday.
Fans attend Sidhu Moosewala's cremation in Mansa
May 31, 2022 4:17 pm
The last rites of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala was performed at his native village Moosa in Mansa district on Tuesday with huge crowds gathering at the site. He was shot dead on May 29.
Tajinder Singh Bagga returns home: his arrest and the chaos that followed
May 07, 2022 12:07 pm
BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga's arrest has led to Delhi police filing a case against Punjab police.
Patiala clashes: Violence breaks out between two groups over 'anti-khalistan' march
April 30, 2022 11:51 am
The violent clash between two groups in Patiala, with protesters waving swords and pelting stones, is the first major test for the 43-day-old Bhagwant Singh Mann government.
Assembly Elections 2022: People turn out in large numbers to vote in Punjab, UP
February 20, 2022 3:02 pm
Yogi Adityanath expands UP Cabinet; Channi's cabinet takes oath in Punjab
September 27, 2021 12:02 am
Seven new ministers took oath in the UP cabinet, whereas, six ministers were dropped from the Punjab cabinet
Farmers' 'Bharat Bandh' call gets support from all corners
December 08, 2020 7:10 pm
The call to hold a 'Bharat bandh' by protesting farmers in the national capital was met with support from all corners. A glimpse of how the agitation is playing out across the country.
Farmers hold nationwide protest, demand revocation of farm bills
October 22, 2020 10:18 am
Bharat Bandh, Farmers Protest Today: At least 31 organisations, under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), are participating in the agitation.
PUNJAB VIDEOS
The impact of stubble burning on Delhi’s air pollution: News in Numbers
June 22, 2020 6:11 pm
Stubble burning is the deliberate setting fire of the straw stubble that remains after wheat is harvested. The smoke from this practice is often blamed as a major factor in Delhi’s air pollution. This is what the data says.
Dera Followers Waiting For Ram Rahim Rape Case Verdict In Panchkula
June 22, 2020 6:55 pm
Watch: NRI's Name Missing, Punjab Villagers Vandalise Foundation Stone
June 22, 2020 7:16 pm
Nothing Usual About Gangsters Of Punjab On Facebook
June 08, 2020 11:29 am
Type ‘Nabha Jail’ in search and Punjab’s high-security prison shows up as one of the most ‘checked-in’ locations in the state. Over 150 photographs have been uploaded on the social networking site by its inmates. And it’s not just Nabha. Patiala and Faridkot jail inmates too regularly spring up on Facebook with selfies and other photographs from inside.
Punjab Elections: Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacks Kejriwal
May 06, 2016 12:50 pm
I’m always available for OROP veterans: Capt. Amarinder
February 25, 2016 9:53 am
New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): Expressing solidarity with the One Rank One Pension (OROP) veterans, Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday said it is his duty to stand with them. He said he was always available for the OROP veterans. He added that this issue has been raised for a long time by the Opposition and they would continue to do so till their demands were accepted.
Chandigarh: Police water cannons protesting farmers
February 18, 2016 1:33 pm
Chandigarh, Feb 18 (ANI): Thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana marched to Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki’s residence here on Thursday demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report. The situation went out of control when agitated farmers broke barricades and burnt one tractor, forcing the police to bring the situation under control. The farmers warned to stage an indefinite protest in New Delhi on March 17 if the Centre failed to concede their demands.
Daredevils stun spectators in Punjab's Kila Raipur 'ural Olympics'
February 12, 2016 8:26 am
Ludhiana (Punjab), Feb 12: Every year Ludhiana becomes the destination for hundreds of sports enthusiasts from around the world who come to witness the Kila Raipur Sports Festival or the Rural Olympics. In the 80th edition of the rural Olympics held in Kila Raipur near Ludhiana, children, youngsters and veterans exhibited their courage and skill. The four-day sporting event from February 4-7 saw stuntmen performing daredevil acts like weight lifting with beard, pulling car with teeth, standing on a moving bike, holding ladder in mouth among others. Sportspersons displayed their agility and dexterity in a plethora of other sports like shot-put, weight lifting, paragliding and karate. The sporting event started in 1933 with only wrestling and athletics. Sports lovers from around the world flock to witness the unique sporting event. These games not only promote sportsmanship but also help develop closer people-to-people contact.
Ignore 'Pet' Salauddin's Pathankot terror attack claim: Swamy
January 21, 2016 8:38 am
New Delhi, Jan 21 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Sayeed Salahuddin's claim that his outfit was responsible for the January 1 and 2, 2016 terror strike in Pathankot, Punjab, should be dismissed and disregarded. He also said that they are here because they are being fed like their pets of the Pakistan government. He has also criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's 'Kashmir policy'.
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