Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday, 6 October kicked off the party's door-to-door 'Punjab Bachao' campaign in Gidderbaha, canvassing households to gather public input for the party's upcoming election manifesto. At nearly every doorstep, residents — particularly women — made one demand clear: eliminate the drug menace before anything else.

What Residents Are Saying

At one household, Amandeep Kaur acknowledged SAD's past development record but insisted the party must prioritise drug eradication above all else. At another home, Ginder Kaur said Punjab could only progress if 'chitta' — a locally used term for synthetic drugs — was completely eliminated from the state.

Women across several households described how young people were allegedly falling prey to addiction, and claimed that neither the previous Indian National Congress (Congress) government nor the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had taken meaningful action to curb the menace. They also alleged that those raising concerns about drug abuse were being targeted, effectively silencing would-be whistle-blowers.

What Sukhbir Badal Promised

Badal assured residents that tackling drug abuse would be among the highest priorities of a future SAD government. He announced that a new law would deny bail in drug-related cases for 10 years and that the properties of convicted drug traffickers would be seized. This comes amid long-standing criticism of all major political formations in Punjab over their handling of the drug crisis — a charge that has dogged both the Congress and the AAP since the SAD lost power in 2017.

Welfare Concerns and Economic Promises

Residents also raised broader welfare grievances. Angrej Kaur complained that wheat entitlements under social welfare schemes had been reduced, while others pointed to rising prices of cooking gas and sugar. Women further alleged that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme had been curtailed over recent years.

Responding to these concerns, Badal announced that a future SAD government would supply 50 kg of wheat at ₹4 per kg and pulses at ₹20 per kg under a restored 'aata-daal' scheme. He also pledged to fill 3 lakh vacant government posts within one year of assuming office, and to grant ownership rights to residents of houses located within village 'lal dora' areas.

The 'People's Manifesto' Vision

Informing residents that party leaders and workers would compile feedback for the election manifesto, Badal said the SAD wanted to prepare what he called a 'people's manifesto' — one that, he argued, should carry the status of a legal document so that political parties can be held accountable for implementing their promises. The idea of a legally binding manifesto is a recurring demand in Indian electoral discourse, though no statutory framework for it currently exists.

Notably, this outreach campaign comes as the SAD looks to rebuild its political standing after a series of electoral setbacks in Punjab. Whether the grassroots feedback translates into credible policy commitments will likely determine how voters assess the party's revival effort.