No BJP alliance without Chandigarh, river waters, Sikh prisoners: SAD (Punar Surjit)

SAD (Punar Surjit) said it will not consider an alliance with the BJP until there is clarity on Punjab and Panth-related issues. The party said any talks must address Chandigarh, river waters, Punjabi-speaking areas and the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences.Senior party leader Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad. (Source: facebook/karnailsingh.peermohammad.3)Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) has said it will not consider an alliance with the BJP unless there is clarity on key issues concerning Punjab and the Panth, including Chandigarh, river waters, Punjabi-speaking areas and the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences.Senior party leader Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad said the party currently has no immediate need for an alliance with the BJP. However, he said that if the BJP or the Centre wants to reach an agreement with SAD (Punar Surjit), it must first make its position clear on issues the party considers central to Punjab's interests and Panthic concerns.PUNJAB'S RIGHTS AT THE CENTRE OF ALLIANCE TALKSPeer Mohammad said the party's key demands include restoring Punjab's right to Chandigarh, releasing Bandi Singhs who have completed their sentences, protecting Punjab's rights over its water under riparian laws and bringing Punjabi-speaking areas into Punjab.He said there could be no compromise on issues concerning Punjab's interests. According to him, a clear policy on Punjab's rights and Panthic demands would be necessary before any political alliance is considered. SAD (PUNAR SURJIT) SEEKS WIDER POLITICAL UNITYThe party said workers, panches, sarpanches and leaders from different political parties are joining SAD (Punar Surjit) under party president Giani Harpreet Singh. These include people associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the Aam Aadmi Party.Peer Mohammad said the party is seeking to unite people at both political and social levels. It is also working to bring Punjabis, including members of the Dalit community, onto a common platform while moving beyond caste distinctions and social hierarchies.FOCUS ON YOUTH MIGRATION FROM PUNJAB Peer Mohammad also raised concern over the continued migration of Punjab's youth abroad. He proposed establishing regional universities and skill centres in the state to create better educational and employment opportunities for young people within Punjab.He said such institutions could help young people build their futures in the state and reduce the need to migrate abroad in search of education and jobs.PARTY CALLS FOR PANTHIC UNITYOn Panthic unity, Peer Mohammad said that, in accordance with the Hukamnama issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on December 2, the doors for Panthic unity, excluding the Badal family, remain open.He described Panthic unity as the need of the hour and urged all concerned parties to make serious efforts towards achieving it.District Jathedar Diljinder Bir Singh Virk, Madhupal Singh Goga and Harjit Singh Purewal were among the party leaders and workers present at the press conference.- EndsPublished On: Aug 30, 2026 17:46 IST