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‘People want a reliable regional party’: Bikram Singh Majithia on SAD revival and AAP’s ‘failures’

Bikram Singh Majithia is campaigning for SAD candidate Parupkar Singh Ghumman in the Ludhiana West bypoll scheduled for June 19.

Bikram Singh Majithia (Express File Photo)

LudhianaJune 16, 2025 03:43 PM IST First published on: Jun 16, 2025 at 03:43 PM IST

As political heat rises in the Assembly bypoll-bound Ludhiana West constituency, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia is actively campaigning for SAD candidate Parupkar Singh Ghumman. Ahead of the June 19 bypoll, Majithia discusses the party’s revival efforts, the return of leaders, criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, and the possibility of a future alliance between the SAD and the BJP.

Excerpts from an interview.

Q. How is the poll campaign shaping up in Ludhiana West?

Bikram Singh Majithia: The campaign is progressing well, and the public response to our candidate, Parupkar Singh Ghumman, has been overwhelmingly positive. Several senior SAD leaders, including Sikander Singh Maluka, Sohan Singh Thandal, and Anil Joshi, have rejoined the party during this campaign. We have also welcomed several new members. This wave of support shows that people are eager to strengthen Punjab’s oldest regional party.

Q. Since this is a bypoll, don’t you think the ruling party has an advantage?

Bikram Singh Majithia: No doubt, ruling parties usually enjoy an advantage in bypolls — that has been the case historically, whether under SAD-BJP or Congress governments. However, this time, there is palpable public anger against the AAP government over unfulfilled promises. These include the Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for women above 18, the non-implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees, and the failure to provide adequate employment opportunities. The list goes on.

Moreover, it is evident that Arvind Kejriwal, the former Delhi CM, has reduced Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to a mere rubber stamp. It was Kejriwal, not the Punjab CM, who announced that Sanjeev Arora, the AAP’s Ludhiana West candidate, would be made a minister if he won. Normally, such cabinet decisions should be announced by the chief minister — this shows how insecure the ruling party is.

They seem to be trailing and are trying to lure voters with last-minute promises. But the voters are no longer gullible — they have seen through these gimmicks. We fear that between June 17 and 19, the AAP might resort to unfair means, including intimidation of Opposition workers, in desperation to get Arora elected, possibly to vacate his Rajya Sabha seat for Arvind Kejriwal.

Q. Is there any possibility of a SAD-BJP alliance in the near future?

Bikram Singh Majithia: That is not for me to decide. However, historically, the SAD-BJP alliance has worked very well in maintaining communal harmony in Punjab. When the alliance was formed in 1996 under the leadership of Parkash Singh Badal from the SAD and Atal Bihari Vajpayee from the BJP, it brought great relief to the people of Punjab. However, under current circumstances, our focus remains on reviving and strengthening our regional party, the SAD.

Q: The party is facing criticism from rebel factions who are even conducting separate membership drives and have faced successive failures in the polls. What is your response?

Bikram Singh Majithia: Several leaders have already returned to the party this month, and many more are expected to rejoin in the coming weeks. We are on our way to becoming a united Akali Dal once again. I appeal to all those still outside the party to set aside personal ambitions and come together to strengthen our shared platform. Our goal must be the welfare of Punjab, not individual egos.

The state’s condition under the AAP regime is deteriorating rapidly. Punjab has incurred a record Rs 1 lakh crore debt under this government, pushing the total debt to Rs 4 lakh crore. We are in a financial emergency — the government has begun withdrawing funds from departments to avoid defaulting on loans. This has led to a complete halt in developmental work.

At this critical juncture, we must rise above differences and reunite under one banner — the SAD. People are looking for a party they can trust. For the sake of Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiyat, unity is the need of the hour. And I’m confident that day is not far.