As Punjab swelters under rising temperatures, the power grid is buckling, prompting the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to organize massive protests across the state on April 30. Daljit Singh Cheema, a prominent SAD figure, made the bold declaration on Tuesday, targeting the AAP government’s handling—or mishandling—of the electricity shortage.
In a fiery X post, Cheema criticized the AAP regime for its inaction. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal ordered the demonstrations to spotlight how constant outages are robbing people of sleep and comfort. Party cadres will gather at SDM, DC, and Powercom offices in each assembly segment, raising banners for reliable power supply.
The crisis stems from demand surging past 12,000 MW due to blistering heat, straining PSPCL’s resources. Major hubs like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda, Mohali, and Patiala face up to 10 hours of daily darkness from shutdowns. Cheema called these cuts a symptom of systemic failures: botched planning, supply lapses, and administrative paralysis.
The AAP government, he charged, prioritizes political survival amid infighting and leader exits over public welfare. Power Minister Sanjeev Arora countered that maintenance works necessitated cuts, vowing to limit them to four hours. Yet, skepticism runs high as residents battle humid nights without fans or lights.
SAD’s mobilization underscores deepening discontent in Punjab’s power politics. With elections looming, this protest could amplify calls for accountability, forcing AAP to deliver on its promises or face voter wrath at the polls.
