Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has appointed two retired patwaris as Halka In-Charges of Bathinda Rural and Budhlada constituencies, as the party continues to strengthen its organisational structure in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Jaskaran Singh Gehari Buttar has been appointed Halka In-Charge of Bathinda Rural, while S. Balwinder Singh Hakam Wala has been given responsibility for the Budhlada constituency. Badal announced both appointments through posts on X.
Pleased to appoint Jaskaran Singh Gehari Buttar, retired Patwari, as Halka In-charge of Bathinda (Rural) constituency.
Popularly known as ‘Paaniyan Da Rakha’, he has been serving as State President of the Nahari Patwar Union, Punjab, since 2017.
In 2024, he courageously opposed the @BhagwantMann govt’s order to record inflated canal irrigation figures. He was also prosecuted, including being suspended from service, for exposing this falsehood but did not budge from his stand.
Since Jaskaran has resigned from service and formally joined the Shiromani Akali Dal, we have entrusted him with this responsibility after due consultation with the local leadership. I am confident he will work wholeheartedly to ensure the party’s victory in Bathinda (Rural) constituency.— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) October 12, 2026
Jaskaran Singh Gehari Buttar Appointed Bathinda Rural In-Charge
Announcing Gehari Buttar’s appointment, Badal said he is popularly known as ‘Paaniyan Da Rakha’ and has been serving as the state president of the Nahari Patwar Union, Punjab, since 2017.
Badal said Gehari Buttar opposed an order issued by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government in 2024 regarding the recording of canal irrigation figures, which he alleged would result in inflated figures. According to Badal, Gehari Buttar faced action, including suspension from service, for exposing what he described as false figures but remained firm in his stand.
Badal stated that Gehari Buttar has resigned from service and formally joined the SAD. His appointment was made after consultations with the local leadership. The party president expressed confidence that he would work for the party in the Bathinda Rural constituency.
Balwinder Singh Hakam Wala Appointed Budhlada In-Charge
In another appointment, Badal named retired patwari S. Balwinder Singh Hakam Wala as the Halka In-Charge of Budhlada. Describing him as a native of Hakam Wala village, Badal said he has decades of service in Budhlada and enjoys a strong local connection and reputation.
Badal also stated that on the day of his appointment, Hakam Wala brought 150 BJP families into the Shiromani Akali Dal fold. He congratulated him on the new responsibility and expressed confidence that he would work towards the party’s victory in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Pleased to appoint S. Balwinder Singh Hakam Wala, retired Patwari, as Halka Incharge of Budhlada constituency.
A native of Hakam Wala village, Balwinder ji has dedicated decades of service in Budhlada to his credit besides a deep connect and reputation in the constituency.
On his appointment today, the new Halka incharge brought 150 BJP families into the @Akali_Dal_ fold.
I wish him the very best in his new responsibility and am confident that he will give his best to ensure Shiromani Akali Dal’s victory in the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections.— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) October 12, 2026
SAD Strengthens Organisation Ahead of 2027 Polls
The appointments highlight the SAD’s efforts to strengthen its local leadership and expand its organisational presence ahead of the next Punjab Assembly elections. Both appointments were announced by Sukhbir Singh Badal on social media, with the party president expressing confidence in the two new constituency in-charges.