BJP-Akali Dal Reunion On The Cards? Formal Announcement Likely Soon
Political speculation is intensifying in Punjab amid reports that the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal are close to reviving their alliance ahead of the Assembly election. Sources indicate that a formal announcement could be made during a proposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi rally in Bathinda after Diwali, with the Akali Dal expected to remain the senior partner. The discussions come as parties sharpen their campaign strategies, with Rahul Gandhi preparing to kick off Congress's Punjab outreach from Sangrur and all major players gearing up for a high-stakes electoral contest.
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to initiate breach of privilege and contempt of the House proceedings against Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary for obstructing her from discharging her duties as an MP and trivialising her grave concerns over the forcible abduction of the body of a drug victim. According to the release from Shiromani Akali Dal, the Bathinda MP, who wrote to the Speaker on Saturday to formally submit a notice under Rule 223 and seek his consent to raise a question of breach of privilege and contempt of the House, also called for summoning a report from the Punjab government vis-
Punjab records 1,007 stubble-burning cases; Tarn Taran tops list with 397 incidents
Digital Desk | Patiala, Oct 30 (IANS) Punjab has recorded 1,007 stubble-burning incidents during the ongoing paddy harvesting season, with Tarn Taran district accounting for the highest number of cases, followed by Amritsar and Ferozepur, according to the district-wise report of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). Tarn Taran reported 397 cases, accounting for nearly 39 per cent of the total incidents recorded across the state. Amritsar stood second with 171 cases, while Ferozepur ranked third with 104 incidents. The three districts together accounted for 672 cases, indicating a concentration of stubble-burning incidents in these areas. According to the PPCB report, Gurdaspur recorded 72 cases, followed by Kapurthala with 63, Bathinda with 31, Fazilka with 28, Jalandhar with 22 and Faridkot with 21 incidents. Patiala and Hoshiarpur recorded 16 and 12 cases, respectively. Sangrur also reported 12 incidents, while Fatehgarh Sahib recorded 11. Muktsar reported nine cases, followed by Moga, Barnala and SAS Nagar with seven each. Ludhiana recorded six incidents, Malerkotla five, SBS Nagar three, Rupnagar two and Pathankot one. No stubble-burning incident was recorded in Mansa in the report. The report further stated that of the 1,007 incidents reported across Punjab, officials had inspected 778 locations. Stubble burning was confirmed at 379 locations following the inspections. Additionally, 26 fields were found to have traces of stubble burning by PPF and nodal officers. As part of enforcement measures, environmental compensation was imposed in 349 cases. The total penalty imposed stood at Rs 17.50 lakh, of which Rs 13.15 lakh had been recovered, the report stated. A total of 246 FIRs have also been registered in connection with stubble-burning incidents, while red entries have been made in the revenue records of 297 fields. The authorities have issued 426 warnings and show-cause notices to nodal and supervisory officers in connection with the incidents. However, the report recorded zero figures for prosecution action under Section 14 of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act, filing of chargesheets and suspension of officials. In Patiala district, 16 stubble-burning cases have been reported so far. Officials inspected 14 locations and confirmed burning at seven of them. Environmental compensation was imposed in six cases in the district, amounting to Rs 35,000, of which Rs 20,000 has been recovered. The report provides cumulative figures for the ongoing season up to October 29 and does not contain a separate district-wise breakdown of fresh incidents reported during the preceding 24 hours. Therefore, the district recording the highest number of new cases during that period cannot be established from these figures. With the paddy harvesting season underway, the state authorities are continuing inspections and enforcement measures to curb stubble burning, which contributes to air pollution during the post-monsoon period.
Ambuja Cements' Q2 revenue at Rs 9,197 crore; commissions 4.6 MTPA capacity
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 29 (IANS) Ambuja Cements Limited, part of the diversified Adani Group, on Thursday reported revenue from operations of Rs 9,197 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, with operating EBITDA of Rs 1,271 crore and an EBITDA margin of 13.8 per cent. The cement maker recorded sales volume of 16.5 million tonnes during the quarter, supported by continued growth in its trade business, according to its stock exchange filing. Trade volumes rose 8.6 per cent year-on-year, while the share of trade sales increased by six percentage points to 74 per cent. Premium products accounted for 37 per cent of trade sales, up two percentage points from a year earlier. The company's EBITDA per tonne stood at Rs 770 during the quarter, as per its regulatory filing. Ambuja Cements said it commissioned 4.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of new capacity during the quarter, including projects at Dahej, Salai Banwa and Kalamboli. Another 3.2 MTPA of capacity at Bathinda and Jodhpur Penna is being stabilised and ramped up, while a further 2.4 MTPA capacity at Warisaliganj is expected to be commissioned in the second half of FY27. Commenting on the performance, Vinod Bahety, Whole-time Director and CEO of Ambuja Cements, said the company's results reflected a focus on quality-led growth despite seasonal challenges and external pressures. Our Q2 and H1 FY27 performance underscores Ambujas focus on quality growth despite seasonal and external headwinds. Strengthening trade and premium product mix improved revenue quality, while disciplined execution and cost management supported profitability, Bahety noted. According to the company, total cost during the quarter stood at Rs 4,410 per tonne. Excluding the impact of geopolitical disruptions, total cost was Rs 4,182 per tonne. Higher petcoke and coal prices, elevated diesel costs and increased packaging expenses continued to exert pressure on industry margins. The company said logistics costs rose moderately on a year-on-year basis, though part of the impact was offset by a reduction in primary lead distance to 254 km from 265 km. On the financial front, Ambuja maintained a debt-free balance sheet with a net worth of Rs 72,238 crore and cash and cash equivalents of Rs 1,070 crore. The company also holds the highest AAA/A1+ credit ratings from agencies including CRISIL, CARE Ratings, India Ratings and ICRA.
Organise thikri pehra to curb drug trafficking in Punjab: Harsimrat Badal
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 28 (IANS) Calling on womenfolk to turn their villages and neighbourhoods into the first line of defence against Punjabs drug menace, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday urged the partys womens wing, Maavan Dheeyan Di Fauj, to organise traditional thikri pehra (community night patrols) in every village and mohalla to curb drug trafficking. Addressing a gathering of women at a Maavan Dheeyan Di rally in Kharar town, near here, she said the fight against drugs was deeply personal for the women of Punjab, who had borne the brunt of the crisis as families struggled with its devastating consequences. For the women of Punjab, ending the scourge of drugs is their number one priority, she said, adding that SAD had launched a women-led campaign against drugs because women had suffered the most from the menace. Urging the gathering to stand united against drug traffickers, she called on women to identify those allegedly involved in selling drugs and those suspected of protecting them. She said community vigilance and collective action could help expose the drug trade and hold those responsible accountable. The SAD leader said the party, if voted to power in 2027, would establish a special task force headed by a woman Director General of Police to take on the drug mafia. She also promised stricter laws, including a proposed 10-year denial of bail to drug traffickers and confiscation of their properties, with the proceeds intended to compensate victims. Harsimrat Badal also raised concerns over what she described as the growing intimidation of people speaking out against drugs. Referring to the reported removal of Daljit Singhs body by police while his mortal remains were being taken to a protest site, she alleged that his family members were assaulted when they tried to stop the police. She linked the incident to the ongoing struggle for justice by the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug campaigner, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to curb trafficking and protect complainants and whistleblowers. She also referred to the reported detention of a CISF constable who had raised allegations of drug use at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, saying such incidents could discourage people from speaking out against the drug trade. Harsimrat Badal criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for allegedly refusing to meet Jhotas family, claiming that the government had failed to demonstrate the urgency the situation demanded. She further cited the cases of Mohanjit Singh, who she alleged was tortured after protesting against the drug trade, and Gulzar Singh of Dirba, who she said died by suicide after being harassed for questioning the alleged sale of chitta, a colloquial term for heroin.
Upcoming expressway to slash Mohali-Bathinda drive by 2 hrs
Chitta hi chitta graffiti surfaces in Bathinda village amid drug menace protests
Data on childhood cancer survival rate set to improve further in 5 years: AIIMS Delhi expert
Digital Desk | Mohali, Oct 24 (IANS) The quality and quantity of information related to childhood cancer survival rate in the country is likely to get better over the next five years due to the big strides taken during the past decade, said Sameer Bakhshi, Professor and Head of Department of Medical Oncology at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Saturday. Addressing the10th Pediatric Haematology Oncology Support Services Conference (PHOSSCON 2026) here, Bakhshi said, Of the information we have today, three-fourths has come in the last 10 years. On a graph, if the information for the last three decades is treated as almost a flat line, it could shoot up sharply in the next five years. Bakhshi shared his experience on challenges related to inadequate data on survival rates in light of his AIIMS teams landmark research that consolidated three decades of Indian childhood cancer survival evidence across 182 studies involving 22,886 children, said a statement. Poonam Bagai, organising chair of all10th PHOSSCON editions and who is a co-author of the AIIMS New Delhi-led study, emphasised the importance of the findings in establishing the evidence needed to track progress towards UNGA 80 resolution for 60 per cent-plus survival for children with cancer by 2030. She said the study shares insights that promise to help policymakers identify gaps and strengthen accountability in India's fight against childhood cancer. Aligning with the Punjab governments objectives, the two-day conference, which began on Saturday at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, SAS Nagar, is offering a platform for discussions on childhood cancer survival and the evidence needed to improve outcomes. Punjab offered an important example during the discussion. Building on CanKids partnership with the state government since 2017, an Integrated Childhood Cancer Care Framework is being developed with HBCH Mullanpur, AIIMS Bathinda and CMC Ludhiana as key hubs. The session on Towards 60 per cent-plus survival: From Evidence to Action was led by Bagai, Member, ICMR Central Ethics Committee on Human Research, Cankids founder and Childhood Cancer International's WHO South East Asia Region Representative. Bagai led the discussions on the ambition of reaching a childhood cancer survival rate of 60 per cent or more by 2030, highlighting the importance of research, reliable data and collaboration. Reflecting on the journey begun in 2015, Bagai said: Over 10 PHOSSCONs, research, advocacy and healthcare systems have changed. Today, we are asking a bigger question not just how to help children through treatment, but how to help more children survive. Other sessions at the conference focused on access to treatment and financial protection for families; stronger collaboration between society and the medical community; support systems from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship and long-term care and research; and shared learning and future roadmaps for pediatric haematology-oncology support services, the statement said.
MRSPTU Registrar Recruitment 2026
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda (MRSPTU) has released Notification No. MRSPTU/ESTB./2026/DPR/596 for the post of Registrar. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications till 10 November 2026.
Woman killed as trailer drags couples bike on Ludhiana-Bathinda highway
Hockey: Trophy tour begins in Mohali ahead of Asian Champions Trophy Punjab
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 19 (IANS) The build-up to the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 gathered momentum with the launch of a nine-day trophy tour in Mohali on Sunday, bringing the upcoming mens hockey tournament closer to fans across the state ahead of the continental competition from October 27 to November 5. The tour was flagged off at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) on October 18 and will travel through several cities and towns, including Patiala, Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Kapurthala, before reaching Jalandhar on October 26. The initiative aims to build excitement for the ninth edition of the tournament while celebrating Punjabs longstanding contribution to Indian hockey. The trophys journey will give local communities, aspiring players and supporters an opportunity to engage with the competition ahead of the arrival of Asias leading hockey teams. Punjab has been a traditional stronghold of Indian hockey, producing generations of players who have represented the country at major international events. The tour seeks to connect this legacy with the upcoming championship, which will bring international hockey back to the state. Jalandhar will host the league-stage matches at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium from October 27 to November 2. The competition will then move to Mohali, where the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium will stage the semifinals and medal matches on November 4 and 5. Established in 2011, the Asian Champions Trophy has developed into a prominent fixture on the continental hockey calendar, bringing together some of Asias strongest national teams. India, the tournaments most successful side with five titles, will aim to add to its record while competing on home soil. Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh will join the hosts in the six-team competition.
Three coaches of goods train derail in Punjab's Bathinda, rail traffic disrupted for long hours
Three coaches of a goods train carrying newly-manufactured cars derailed near Rampura Phul railway station in Bathinda on Friday, disrupting rail traffic. Officials said that the goods train was travelling from Bathinda towards Ambala when...
Sachin Pilot to tour Punjab, to meet gangster-hit families
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 15 (IANS) AICC General Secretary and in-charge of Punjab, Sachin Pilot, will undertake a five-day visit across the state from October 16 to meet families who have lost loved ones to gangster violence and the breakdown of law and order in the state, the party said on Thursday. He said his visit would cover multiple districts, comprising Moga, Bathinda, Mansa, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Amritsar. In each district, Pilot will visit homes of bereaved families, offer condolences, and listen to their accounts of the crimes and of the response they have received from the police and the state government. Many of these killings have been claimed by or linked to organised gangs. Several families have waited months, and some years, for arrests, chargesheets or a fair trial. The purpose of the visit is to give these families a voice. The Congress will carry their demand for justice to the public, to the state government and, where needed, to the courts. Pilot will highlight the steady deterioration of law and order in Punjab, which has unequivocally eroded any moral right of the current AAP government to remain in office. Newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President Pargat Singh on October 11 assumed office in Chandigarh, pledging to fight for the rights, dignity and better future of the people of the state. Speaking on the occasion, the state Congress chief said the real strength of the state lay in its ordinary citizens: farmers who feed the country, young people struggling to secure their future, traders and business owners who contribute to the state's economy, and families aspiring to a safe, dignified and better life. He added that the Congress had a responsibility not merely to contest elections but also to become the voice of the people and stand firmly for their rights. The people of Punjab are waiting for their rights, justice and a secure future. It is our responsibility to meet the expectations of every section, from farmers to young people. The Congress is united, and our struggle is against a system that has failed to secure people's rightful entitlements, he had added.
Akali Dal's Big Focus On Women In Punjab, Through Drugs, Financial Help
Akali MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has addressed a large gathering of women in Bathinda, using the platform to target the Bhagwant Mann government over its unfulfilled promises to women and alleged failure to curb drug trafficking.
Delhi CM slams Arvind Kejriwal for hollow promise to check stubble burning in Punjab
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for betraying Punjab farmers and not offering any solution to stubble burning that adds to air pollution in north India during winter. Taking to his official X account, the Delhi Chief Minister shared a video of stubble burning in Punjab's Tarn Taran and reminded Kejriwal of his promise to resolved the problem that adds to air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). She accused Kejriwal, a former Delhi Chief Minister himself, of lack of intent and willpower to find a collective solution with Punjab farmers, despite the Centre providing resources for the purpose. In her message on X, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, Kejriwal ji had said, give me one year, and I'll stop the burning of stubble in Punjab. Years passed by. Farmers kept waiting for help, and the 'AAP'da government, instead of freeing them from the compulsion to burn stubble, just left them to fend for themselves. Stubble burning has started again in Tarn Taran. The Central government provided funds, gave machines, offered subsidies, yet Bhagwant Mann ji and Kejriwal ji's 'AAP'da government couldn't even manage arrangements on the ground, she added. Resources were fully provided, but intent, willpower, and accountability all three have failed. The people of Delhi have rejected Kejriwal ji. Is he now venting the frustration of that crushing defeat on the people of Delhi? CM Gupta asked. Highlighting that efforts are being made in the NCR to curb air pollution, the Delhi CM said, We are working day and night to roll out new solutions on the ground to clean up Delhi's air. Meanwhile, in Punjab, the fire from stubble burning has exposed the 'AAP'da government's true colours. No preparation, no solutions. Just false promises and betrayal of the farmers. Earlier, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has deployed of flying squads in 18 districts across Punjab to monitor stubble burning, a statement said. The deployment, from October 1 to November 30, has been structured in successive phases, with flying squads assigned to respective districts for different deployment periods to ensure sustained field-level monitoring throughout the paddy harvesting season 2026, it added. The deployment of flying squads in Punjab covers key paddy-producing districts, including Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Muktsar, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, Mansa, Fazilka, Patiala, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Barnala, Malerkotla, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Fatehgarh Sahib, it said. The teams will coordinate with farmers, Parali Protection Force, district-level authorities, state government nodal officers, officers of the respective State Pollution Control Boards, the CAQM Cell at SAS Nagar and the Commission, the statement said.
AIIMS Bathinda Project Technical Support Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bathinda (AIIMS Bathinda) Recruitment 2026 for 4 posts of Project Technical Support-III, Project Technical Support-III (Statistician + IT domain experience), Project Technical Support-III (Project manager/assistant coordinator), Project Technical Support - I. Candidates Can Apply Online. The last date to apply online is 12-10-2026. The candidate shall apply online through AIIMS Bathinda official website.
AAP MLA cries foul over teacher shortage in Punjab; is suspended by party
Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, the partys MLA from Bathindas Maur constituency, was suspended after alleging a shortage of teachers in government schools in his constituency
A video from Punjab's Bathinda showing a young woman in an allegedly intoxicated condition has gone viral on social media, prompting political reactions and reigniting concerns over the zombie drug abuse in the state, which is already plagued by the menace.
Analysis: Harsimrat Kaur's Big Political Moment Test Of Badal Family Legacy
Harsimrat has launched a women-focused Maawan-Dhiyan campaign at Rampura Phul and Nathana in Bathinda, addressing gatherings, leading protest marches and submitting memorandums addressed to the Punjab Governor.
'Punjab Will Be Drug-Free in 6 Months': Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Yatra Phase 4 in Bathinda
Shivraj Singh Chouhan to join BJPs Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra in Punjab today
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Punjab on Monday for a one-day trip, where he will participate in the BJPs Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra (Drug-Free Punjab Campaign). During his visit, Chouhan will pay obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo before joining the BJPs campaign against drug abuse. At 10:00 a.m., he is scheduled to inaugurate and participate in the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra at Dana Mandi, located at Ravidasia Chowk in Talwandi Sabo. The Union minister will also address a public meeting in Maisarkhana and hold a direct dialogue with farmers and women associated with self-help groups in Bathinda. His participation comes as the four-day campaign enters its final leg, with the yatra scheduled to reach Bathinda and conclude the BJPs state-wide outreach programme. The BJP launched the mega Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra on September 18, with the campaign covering different parts of Punjab. BJP national President Nitin Nabin flagged off the first march from Ekta Sthal at Madhopur in Pathankot district earlier on Friday. The second yatra was on September 19 from Fatehgarh Sahib and was flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The third yatra was held on September 20 from the Sadiki border in Fazilka, near the Asafwala 1971 War Memorial, and was flagged off by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The four-day yatra began in Pathankot and is scheduled to conclude in Bathinda, covering key districts across the state. The campaign is centred on the issue of drug abuse, which has remained a significant concern and a prominent subject of political discourse in Punjab. Through the yatra, the BJP is seeking to raise awareness about the adverse impact of drugs and highlight its vision and proposed approach for creating a drug-free Punjab. The participation of senior BJP leaders, including Chouhan, is expected to add political momentum to the campaign while strengthening the partys organisational network and public outreach across the state.
Punjab BJP to launch four anti-drug marches across state today
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 18 (IANS) To bring the issue of drug abuse into sharper focus in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and Opposition parties trading accusations over the government's handling of the issue, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch four statewide marches against drug abuse in the state from Friday. The marches will cover all 117 Assembly constituencies before culminating in a rally later this month, which will be addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatras will begin from four locations between September 18 and 21 and collectively cover about 4,000 km, according to the Punjab BJP. BJP national President Nitin Nabin will flag off the first march from Ekta Sthal at Madhopur in Pathankot district on Friday. The march will pass through constituencies in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar before reaching its destination. The second yatra will begin on September 19 from Fatehgarh Sahib and will be flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta after she pays obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Jyoti Saroop Sahib, Punjab BJP general secretary and yatra in-charge Rajesh Bagha said. It will travel through parts of Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali, Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Phagwara before concluding in Jalandhar. The third yatra will start on September 20 from the Sadiki border in Fazilka, near the Asafwala 1971 War Memorial, with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal scheduled to flag it off. It will cover constituencies in Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda, Faridkot, Moga, Ludhiana and Malerkotla. The fourth march will begin on September 21 from Gurdwara Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will flag it off. That route will cover Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Sangrur and Patiala districts before heading towards Jalandhar. All four yatras are scheduled to converge in Jalandhar on September 30, when the BJP will hold a public rally addressed by HM Shah. The BJP has described the campaign as an effort to build public awareness against drug abuse. Party leaders have also raised concerns about law and order and corruption in Punjab as part of their wider political messaging.
Fazilka Falcons beat Bathinda Royals but miss Sher-E-Punjab T20 semis
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Sher-E-Punjab T20: Naman Dhirs 95 powers Amritsar Soormas to third straight win
Digital Desk | Mohali, Sep 10 (IANS) Amritsar Soormas continued their impressive late-season surge in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a thrilling nine-run win over Jalandhar Warriors, securing their third consecutive victory and strengthening their playoff push. Batting first, the Soormas posted 178/9, powered by another sensational knock from Naman Dhir, who followed his match-winning 173 in the previous game with a blazing 95 off 48 balls, including six fours and eight sixes. Dhir struck at 197.92, once again putting the opposition under pressure and giving Amritsar a strong platform. Jalandhar mounted a spirited response, led by Randeep Singh (32 off 22), with Prabhsimran Singh (28) and Aryan Yadav (26) also contributing. However, Amritsar kept striking at crucial moments to restrict the Warriors to 169/8. Jaipartap Singh Johal, Akash Pandey and Shubham Rana picked up two wickets apiece, while Dhir also chipped in with 1/15. The win takes Amritsar Soormas to second place with eight points from seven matches, ahead of Jalandhar on net run rate. Having won their last three games, the Soormas are now firmly in contention for a top-four finish, with just one league-stage game remaining. Amritsar will close out their league campaign against Ludhiana Lions on Friday (September 11) at 7 PM at the I.S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali. With the playoff race finely poised, the Soormas will look to carry their winning momentum into the final game and strengthen their case for a top-four finish. Skipper Ramandeep Singh led from the front with a blistering, unbeaten 71 off 36 balls as Mohali Kings stormed into the semifinals of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a five-wicket win over Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing a competitive target of 185, Mohali Kings got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets with just four runs on the board. But skipper Ramandeep and Anmolpreet Singh (49 off 28 balls) revived the chase with a crucial 52-run stand for the third wicket before Ramandeep took control to take his side over the line.
Sher-e-Punjab T20: 'Focus only on the next game,' says Arshdeep ahead of crucial clash
Digital Desk | Mohali, Sep 10 (IANS) Ludhiana Lions captain Arshdeep Singh said the team would not be distracted by the points table and would instead focus on executing its plans as they look to secure their place in the top four when they take on Amritsar Soormas in their final league match of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League at the IS Bindra Stadium on Friday. Ludhiana are currently third on the points table, with most teams still in contention for the remaining three playoff spots. Mohali Kings are the only side to have already secured their place in the last four. We go into our final league match with the same mindset, focusing only on the game in front of us and not getting distracted by the points table, Arshdeep said ahead of the clash. Ludhiana enter the match with renewed confidence after ending a three-match losing streak with a six-wicket win over Shubman Gills Fazilka Falcons in their previous outing. Salil Arora starred with 78 off 38 balls, while Bikramjeet Singh and Arjun Rajput contributed 58 and 35, respectively, to help Ludhiana chase down the target comfortably. Were at the business end of the tournament. I believe we have played much better cricket than our current points suggest. With one league match remaining, the plan is simple: go out, execute our plans and do everything within our ability to fight for a place in the playoffs, said Arshdeep. It is still within our reach. Im confident that if we tighten up the small things that have gone against us in the last few matches, we can find ourselves in the final four. Arshdeep also praised the contribution of both senior players and youngsters in the Ludhiana squad. Every member of the squad, whether an experienced senior or a young talent who may not have as many games under his belt, has taken his role and responsibility extremely seriously. The boys have consistently put their hands up for whatever the team needs and have played crucial roles for Ludhiana Lions, he said. Among the emerging players, Arjun Rajput, Kartik Chadha, Sahil Bhaskar and Madhav Singh Pathania have made important contributions. Rajput scored 82 runs off 45 balls and claimed four wickets for 27 runs in the same match against Bathinda Royals, while Chadha has been among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. He is currently second on the wicket-taking charts behind his Ludhiana teammate Sahil Bhaskar. Arjun Rajput is an obvious name. Hes slowly been making his presence felt and has also earned his U19 call-up. I genuinely believe he has a very bright future ahead, Arshdeep said. Kartik Chadha is another player who really stands out to me. He has shades of multiple Indian superstars in his game, and Im confident that whenever he gets the opportunity, hell grab it with both hands. His bowling performances already speak for themselves. Ludhiana Lions will face Abhishek Sharmas Amritsar Soormas at 7 pm on Friday in what promises to be a crucial encounter in the race for the playoffs.
Punjab: 'Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan' begins from Bathinda
Akali Dal activists seek bribery case registration against Punjab CM's wife
Chandigarh, Sep 5 (IANS) Activists of the Istri Akali Dal, the official women's wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), led by Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday marched to the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to demand his resignation as well as registration of a criminal case against his wife Gurpreet Kaur, who is facing allegations of demanding Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. However, Gurpreet Kaur has already rejected the allegations, saying the charges are baseless. Meanwhile, the police put up barricades to stop the Istri Akali Dal members led by Harsimrat Badal, MLA Ganieve Kaur and the Women Wing President Hargobind Kaur from marching towards the Chief Minister's residence following which they staged a sit-in on the road and courted arrest. The women continued to hold the protest even after the senior SAD leaders were detained. Speaking on the occasion, Harsimrat Badal said the Chief Minister's office had become a den of corruption where crores were being sought by the latter's wife to let off a predator against whom two women had filed rape and kidnapping charges. She added that recent audio and visual evidence had revealed how Gurpreet Kaur's brother-in-law had sealed a deal with a colleague of the accused rapist and media influencer Guri Chahal for Rs 5 crore. Everyone has seen how Gurpreet Mann's relative Amardeep Grewal negotiated with the predator's colleague while sitting in a restaurant with the Chief Minister's wife and even shared a picture of the latter to establish his credentials, she alleged. Harsimrat Badal said, We have also seen how following the sealing of the deal with the Chief Minister's wife, the accused was let off within two months and was also allowed to flee to the United States. Asserting that the Akali Dal would launch a mass movement across the state until Gurpreet Kaur was not arrested, she also demanded the arrest of all other accused in the case, besides the dismissal of the police officers who had filed cancellations reports to favour the rape accused and facilitate his release from jail. Harsimrat Badal also called for extending protection to the rape victims who had registered complaints against the media influencer, besides demanding a CBI probe into the entire incident. It has also come to light that five women had personally complained to the Chief Minister against the same 'predator' but the latter did not take any action in the matter. This should also be probed to ascertain why the CM's office was siding with rapists. Meanwhile, warning people that the fire could reach their houses also, Istri Akali Dal leader Hargobind Kaur and Ganieve Kaur Majithia appealed to the people of Punjab to unite and fight for the cause of the wronged women as well as putting an end to corruption in the Chief Minister's office and residence.
Punjab Launches Fourth Season of
The fourth season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan begins in Bathinda, featuring 38 sports and support for athletes from the Punjab government. Punjab Launches Fourth Season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Tuesday held protests across Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the participation of its three MPs, Ramvir Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat, in the tribute sabha of
Mohali Kings vs Bathinda Royals, Sher-E-Punjab T20 League 2026 Live Streaming
Mohali Kings face Bathinda Royals in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League at PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, on August 31, with Bathinda Royals opting to field after winning the toss.
Amid Bathinda Road Row, Opposition Alleges Police Crackdown, AAP Hits Back
The controversy centres around the newly constructed Kot Bhaiyya-Ramgarh Bhundar road.
Opposition Attacks Bhagwant Mann Government Over Bathinda Road Row
The controversy centres around the newly constructed Kot Bhaiyya-Ramgarh Bhundar road.
Akali Dal and BJP May Reunite Ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections
Sunam, August 20: Discussions about a potential alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have gained momentum ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. This speculation has been fueled by statements from SAD leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. During an event commemorating the death anniversary of former SAD ... Read more Akali Dal and BJP May Reunite Ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections
Punjab hosts the 4th Khedan Watan Punjab Dian with more than 10 lakh participants across 38 sports, including para events, and a free online registration system.
Demand for NIA Investigation into Attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal
New Delhi, August 16: There is a rising demand for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the life-threatening attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, which occurred on August 13. Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, ... Read more Demand for NIA Investigation into Attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal
Punjab Politics | Explained: Why Sukhbir Badal Is Reaching Out To Gen Z Ahead Of 2027 Polls
Punjab's political battlefield is expanding beyond traditional vote banks, with Gen Z emerging as an increasingly important constituency ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The Congress is looking at younger faces, while the Shiromani Akali Dal is also trying to connect with young voters. Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal recently met protesting students in Bathinda and at Punjabi University in Patiala, signalling an attempt to reach out to a generation beyond the party's traditional support base. NDTV's Mohammed Ghazali brings you more on this.
Baghel asks workers to beware of traitors within Punjab Congress
Addressing the gathering in Bathinda, he said the next elections will not be fought by the candidates alone, but by the entire partys rank and file, underlining the need for strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level
