According to the data released by the Punjab government, based on the 2011 census and now estimated to have crossed a population of 3 crores, there are over 35 lakh agricultural workers in Punjab, accounting for 35% of the total workforce. The total workforce in Punjab is approximately 97.98 lakh.
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Considering these statistics, do you think there is a need for a new strategy for the development of the agricultural sector in Punjab?
After the demise of Tota Singh, a veteran Akali leader, former minister, and the party’s candidate from Dharamkot in 2022, the Shiromani Akali Dal faces a clear leadership gap in the seat. Before him, Dharamkot was shaped for years by Sheetal Singh, who won in 1997, 2002 and 2007. Now attention turns to Rajwinder Singh Dharamkot, Sheetal Singh’s son, whom SAD trusted with the Faridkot Lok Sabha ticket in 2024. With senior faces fading, the 2027 question is simple. Does Akali Dal now see Rajwinder Singh as its natural choice for Dharamkot or is the party still unsure how to move beyond its veteran era ?
दिग्गज अकाली नेता, पूर्व मंत्री और 2022 में धर्मकोट से पार्टी के उम्मीदवार रहे तोता सिंह के निधन के बाद, इस सीट पर शिरोमणि अकाली दल के सामने साफ़ नेतृत्व का खालीपन दिखता है। उनसे पहले, धर्मकोट की राजनीति कई वर्षों तक शीतल सिंह के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती रही, जिन्होंने 1997, 2002 और 2007 में लगातार जीत दर्ज की थी। अब नज़र जाती है राजविंदर सिंह धर्मकोट पर, जो शीतल सिंह के बेटे हैं और जिन्हें अकाली दल ने 2024 में फरीदकोट लोकसभा सीट से टिकट दिया था। जब पुराने चेहरे धीरे-धीरे पीछे हट रहे हैं, तो 2027 का सवाल सीधा है, क्या अकाली दल अब राजविंदर सिंह को धर्मकोट से अपना स्वाभाविक विकल्प मान रहा है या पार्टी अब भी अपने दिग्गज दौर से आगे बढ़ने को लेकर दुविधा में है ?
In Ludhiana South, Hira Singh Gabria, an Akali veteran and former minister, was again fielded by the Shiromani Akali Dal in 2022 after losing Assembly elections in 2012 from Atam Nagar and in 2017 from Ludhiana South. Despite his long experience, the seat has steadily shifted toward new forces and local personalities. As 2027 approaches, the real question is– does relying on leaders like Hira Singh Gabria reflect Akali Dal’s faith in experience or does it expose the party’s difficulty in grooming fresh, winning faces in urban Punjab ?
