Sukhbir Badal Launches Fresh Attack on AAP, Congress and Waris Punjab De at Malout Rally

Malout, August 27, 2026: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal returned to the political stage with a major “Punjab Bachao” rally in Malout, launching a sharp attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress and Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De).

The rally marked Badal’s first major public political appearance after the August 13 attack on him in Nanded, Maharashtra. He used the gathering to project the SAD as a key force for protecting Punjab’s peace, communal harmony and regional political identity.

Sukhbir Badal Returns to Political Campaign

Addressing a large gathering in Malout, Badal said he had returned not simply as the SAD president but as a member of the party family seeking the support and blessings of workers.

His appearance came after he was injured in an attack at a gurdwara in Nanded. The incident had temporarily kept him away from active political campaigning.

The Malout rally therefore carried political significance for the SAD as it begins the second phase of its Punjab Bachao campaign.

Sharp Attack on AAP and Congress

Badal criticised both the AAP government in Punjab and the Congress, accusing them of failing to protect the state's interests.

He also alleged that political forces were attempting to weaken the Shiromani Akali Dal and remove Punjab's major regional political voice.

Badal claimed that issues surrounding the SAD and the Badal family were being used politically to undermine the party. These claims represent the SAD leader's political allegations and have not been independently established.

Amritpal Singh and Waris Punjab De Come Under Fire

One of the strongest parts of Badal's speech was his criticism of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh and his political organisation, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De).

Badal questioned the group's claim to represent Punjab and Sikh interests and accused it of seeking to replace the SAD as Punjab's regional political force.

He also criticised the campaign seeking Amritpal Singh's release from detention, contrasting it with the SAD's position regarding Sikh prisoners.

Badal went further by describing Waris Punjab De in strongly critical terms and warning that, in his view, divisive politics could once again threaten Punjab's peace.

Warning About Punjab's Past

Badal repeatedly referred to the violence and instability Punjab experienced during the 1980s.

He alleged that forces responsible for disturbing Punjab's peace during that period were becoming active again under new political identities.

He appealed to people to remain united and reject what he described as divisive politics.

Badal also referred to historical figures including Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, Bhai Shaminder Singh and Gurcharan Singh Tohra while making his argument about the importance of maintaining peace and communal harmony.

“Punjab's Regional Voice Must Survive”

A central theme of Badal's speech was the future of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

He alleged that political forces from outside Punjab were attempting to eliminate the SAD from the state's political landscape.

According to Badal, weakening the SAD would also weaken Punjab's regional political representation.

The SAD president presented his party as a political force rooted in Punjab and committed to protecting the state's interests.

Sacrilege Issue Raised Again

Badal also raised the politically sensitive issue of sacrilege incidents and accused successive governments of using the matter to target the Badal family and SAD.

He claimed that numerous sacrilege incidents had taken place during the tenures of successive governments but alleged that the SAD and Badal family had been selectively targeted.

These claims are part of the ongoing political debate in Punjab and remain contested by rival parties.

BJP Remains Outside His Main Attack

Interestingly, Badal's speech focused heavily on AAP, Congress and Waris Punjab De, while he did not launch a direct attack on the BJP.

This is politically notable because there has been speculation about a possible future rapprochement between the SAD and BJP.

The two parties were long-standing allies before their relationship broke down during the farmers' agitation in 2020. Recent political developments have once again fuelled discussion about their future relationship.

SAD Begins Preparations for 2027

The Malout rally is part of the SAD's effort to strengthen its organisation ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The party is attempting to reconnect with its traditional support base while presenting itself as an alternative to the AAP government and other political formations.

Badal's aggressive criticism of Waris Punjab De also signals a potential battle for political influence among sections of Punjab's Sikh electorate.

Why the Malout Rally Matters

The rally is important for several reasons:

It was Sukhbir Badal's first major political rally after the Nanded attack.
The SAD has entered another phase of its Punjab Bachao campaign.
Badal directly targeted AAP, Congress and Waris Punjab De.
The SAD leader attempted to position his party as Punjab's principal regional political force.
His remarks highlight the growing political competition ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
His decision not to directly target the BJP is significant amid speculation about possible future political realignment.
Political Battle in Punjab Intensifies

Punjab's political landscape is becoming increasingly competitive as parties prepare for the 2027 Assembly election.

The AAP government faces criticism from opposition parties, while Congress and SAD are attempting to rebuild their respective political bases.

At the same time, the emergence of Waris Punjab De as a political force has created another layer of competition for the SAD.

The Malout rally indicates that the SAD intends to aggressively challenge all these political forces while emphasising its regional identity.

What Happens Next?

The SAD is expected to hold additional programmes under its Punjab Bachao campaign in different parts of Punjab.

The party will likely continue highlighting issues related to Punjab's autonomy, farmers, youth, law and order, religious affairs and the state's economic interests.

The response of AAP, Congress and Waris Punjab De to Badal's allegations could further intensify the political debate in the state.

Conclusion

Sukhbir Singh Badal's Malout rally has marked his return to active political campaigning after the Nanded attack and provided a strong indication of the SAD's strategy ahead of the 2027 Punjab elections.

By targeting AAP, Congress and Waris Punjab De, Badal sought to position the SAD as the principal regional force capable of defending Punjab's political and social interests.

His repeated warnings about divisive politics and Punjab's troubled past also show that peace, communal harmony and regional identity are likely to remain central themes of the SAD's upcoming campaign.

NewsDesk7.com will continue to follow Punjab's changing political landscape and provide verified updates ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.