Today has been one of the most politically volatile days in Punjab’s recent history, dominated by a massive shift in the Rajya Sabha and a landmark victory for a long-standing protest.
Here are the top 10 Punjab news headlines for Friday, April 24, 2026:
1. Political Earthquake: Raghav Chadha Joins BJP with 6 AAP MPs
In a stunning move, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has officially defected to the BJP, taking six other AAP parliamentarians with him, including Harbhajan Singh and Sandeep Pathak. The move bypasses the anti-defection law as it constitutes a two-thirds split of AAP’s Upper House strength.
2. CM Bhagwant Mann Slams “Traitors of Punjab”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a blistering attack on the defecting MPs, calling them “traitors” who have betrayed the mandate of the Punjabi people. He alleged the move was engineered by the BJP through “undue pressure.”
3. Activist Gurjeet Khalsa Descends Tower After 560 Days
In Patiala, activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa finally climbed down from a 400-foot BSNL tower after nearly 19 months. His protest ended following the government’s notification of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
4. New Anti-Sacrilege Law Notified: Life Imprisonment Proposed
The Punjab government has officially notified the new anti-sacrilege law, which mandates life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
5. Statewide “Blackout” Mock Drill Tonight
The Punjab government will conduct a 15-minute procedural blackout drill tonight from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM. The exercise, directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to test civil defense and emergency preparedness across all districts.
6. Kejriwal Accuses BJP of “Betraying Punjabis”
AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal responded to the Rajya Sabha split via social media, stating that the BJP has “once again given Punjabis a shove” and accused the saffron party of trying to destabilize the state’s democratically elected government.
7. High-Alert in Patiala After Army-Assisted Rescue
Security remains high in Patiala following the high-stakes operation to bring down Gurjeet Khalsa. The district administration had sought Army assistance for the safe descent of the activist amid chanting supporters and heavy police presence.
8. Sunil Jakhar Hails “New Era” for Punjab BJP
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar welcomed the new inductees at the Delhi headquarters, claiming that the influx of prominent Punjabi faces signals the end of AAP’s dominance and the beginning of a “nationalist alternative” in the state.
9. Heatwave Grips Punjab; Power Demand Surges
As temperatures soar across the Malwa and Majha regions, Punjab’s power demand has hit a seasonal high. The state utilities are struggling to maintain a 24-hour supply, leading to localized outages despite the government’s “no-cut” promise.
10. Focus on 2027: BJP Shifts Strategy to Rural Punjab
Following today’s defections, political analysts note a clear shift in BJP strategy. By bringing in popular figures like Harbhajan Singh, the party is aggressively targeting the rural Sikh vote bank ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
