Journalism of Courage
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
93-year-old activist leads challenge against Punjab’s liberalised building rules
December 24, 2025 10:30 am
The petition alleges infrastructure collapse and safety risks under new 2025 regime
Punjab GST collections up 16% till Nov, excise revenue surges over 8%: Finance Minister Cheema
December 23, 2025 10:05 pm
Harpal Cheema said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections grew by Rs 2,467.30 crore over the corresponding period of the previous year, reflecting the state's focus on economic recovery and improved taxpayer compliance.
Badal seeks rollback of VB-G RAM G Act, ‘it will affect poor’
December 23, 2025 3:16 pm
Addressing the media in Amritsar, Badal said the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) ensured 100 days of employment and it was completely funded by the Centre.
As Centre orders mandatory gram sabha on Dec 26, Punjab yet to make a decision
December 23, 2025 2:29 pm
The Centre has written to Chief Secretaries of all states to organise gram sabhas on December 26.
Navjot Sidhu’s aide Gulzar Chahal appointed Vice-Chairperson of Punjab Planning Board
December 22, 2025 2:12 pm
Former Punjab Cricket Association chief Gulzar Chahal will replace industrialist Rajinder Gupta, who had resigned from the planning board after the AAP nominated him to Rajya Sabha.
Weather Today Live Updates: Delhi air turns 'hazardous' with AQI at 413, dense fog disrupts traffic
December 23, 2025 10:07 pm
Delhi, Punjab, UP, Haryana, Himachal Weather Forecast, Cold Wave, Fog, Temperature, Cancelled Delayed Flight and Train Status Today Live News Updates: The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy snowfall, rain and snowstorms in higher reaches of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and northeast Himachal Pradesh till Monday.
Punjab Congress protests changes to MGNREGA, burns effigy at Kharar
December 21, 2025 7:45 pm
The protest was led by PPCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Mohali district Congress president Kamal Kishore Sharma, with large participation from Congress workers across the Mohali district.
Special to The Express | Power Bill: reform or a quiet transfer of risk in Punjab
December 21, 2025 12:34 pm
As the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, opens distribution to competition, Punjab’s test is simple: will contracts bind private players to public duties as firmly as they protect private returns?
From surplus milk to sold-out mornings: Hoshiarpur farmer’s tale of dairy empire
December 21, 2025 12:08 pm
Today, the family — originally from Mawa Kaholan village in Una district of Himachal Pradesh — runs the enterprise as a close-knit team.
Cabinet green signals redistribution of 253 acres of Bathinda thermal plant
December 21, 2025 12:56 am
The Cabinet has given the green signal for the redistribution despite protests by engineers of power utility against transfer of thermal plant land.
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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