SAD accuses AAP Govt of allotting Longowal’s conference venue to Punar Surjit Dal
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 17, 2026: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of creating hurdles in its annual conference to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, alleging that a venue already reserved by the party had been allotted to the Shiromani Akali Dal Punar-Surjit.
Senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the party had applied in April for permission to hold its annual conference at the Anaj Mandi shed in Longowal on August 20 and had also deposited the prescribed fee for the venue.
According to Cheema, a fresh application was subsequently submitted by the Punar-Surjit Dal, following which the venue reserved for the SAD was allotted to the organisation.
Cheema alleged that AAP Minister Aman Arora procured the fresh application on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, calling the development evidence of “collusion” between the AAP government and the Punar-Surjit Dal.
He further claimed that the application from the Punar-Surjit Dal was submitted on August 15 and the decision to allot the venue was taken within a day.
Terming the decision “arbitrary and discriminatory”, Cheema said the SAD would approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking reversal of the decision and protection of its right to hold the annual conference as scheduled.
He also warned that if the AAP government did not reconsider the decision, the SAD would launch protests against what he described as a misuse of state power.
The allegations were made by the SAD as the party prepares to observe the martyrdom anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal in Longowal.