Over 2.68 crore people in India live with disabilities, yet many still struggle to access public spaces and services.
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With the Supreme Court's recent directive for mandatory accessibility rules, can India overcome these barriers and ensure true inclusion for persons with disabilities?
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Gulzar Singh Ranike brings long administrative experience, having served multiple terms as Attari MLA and handling key departments such as SC/BC Welfare, Animal Husbandry, and Sports. As president of the party’s SC Wing, he represents an important social constituency at a time when the Akali Dal is looking to rebuild its base and broaden its social outreach ahead of 2027. But in a party where leadership decisions are closely tied to political balance and electoral strategy, the bigger question is whether organisational loyalty and social representation can translate into a Chief Ministerial projection or a different role in the leadership structure. Can Gulzar Singh Ranike emerge as a CM face or is his role more likely to fit into a supporting power structure ?
शिरोमणि अकाली दल के वरिष्ठ नेता गुलजार सिंह रणिके लंबे प्रशासनिक अनुभव के साथ आते हैं। वे अटारी से कई बार विधायक रहे हैं और एस.सी./बी.सी. कल्याण, पशुपालन और खेल जैसे महत्वपूर्ण विभाग संभाल चुके हैं। पार्टी के एस.सी. विंग के अध्यक्ष होने के नाते वे एक अहम सामाजिक वर्ग का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं, ऐसे समय में जब अकाली दल 2027 से पहले अपना आधार फिर से मजबूत करने और सामाजिक विस्तार की कोशिश कर रहा है। लेकिन जिस पार्टी में नेतृत्व के फैसले राजनीतिक संतुलन और चुनावी रणनीति से तय होते हैं, वहां बड़ा सवाल यह है कि क्या संगठनात्मक निष्ठा और सामाजिक प्रतिनिधित्व उन्हें मुख्यमंत्री चेहरे तक ले जा सकता है या उनकी भूमिका नेतृत्व संरचना में सहयोगी ही रहेगी। क्या गुलजार सिंह रणिके मुख्यमंत्री चेहरा बन सकते हैं या उनकी भूमिका समर्थनकारी शक्ति तक ही सीमित रहेगी ?
As the Shiromani Akali Dal looks ahead to 2027, senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema continues to play a key role in shaping the party’s strategy, communication, and organisational direction. A former minister with a clean image and strong policy understanding, Cheema has remained one of the most trusted faces in the leadership circle. Yet his name is rarely discussed for the Chief Minister’s post. In a party where roles are clearly defined, the bigger question is whether Cheema’s strength lies not in leading the Government, but in being the mind that shapes the political roadmap, much like a strategist who powers the system rather than becoming its public face. Is Daljit Singh Cheema a potential CM face or the strategist every party needs behind the scenes ?
