August 28, 2026

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab unit disciplinary committee on Friday issued show-cause notices to three of its leaders for making statements about party’s internal affairs and organisational matters.The notices have been issued to former Sangrur district presidents Randeep Singh Deol, Maninder Singh Kapial and Jatinder Kalra.The disciplinary committee said that such conduct prima facie adversely affected the party’s reputation, credibility and organisational image.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe party has directed the individuals to submit their written explanations within 7 days of receiving the notice, explaining why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them for allegedly violating party discipline and damaging the party’s reputation.The notices further seek specific clarification regarding each individual’s role in the press conference, statements made by them, and the purpose of the press conference.This comes after the three leaders held a press conference in Sangrur on August 25.Recent organisational reshuffle in BJP led to dissent among sections of leaders who accused the state leadership of sidelining the old cadre.This comes after BJP’s state in charge BL Santosh began his two-day visit to Punjab to review the party’s organisational functioning and strengthen coordination and preparedness at the grassroots level in the poll-bound state.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories10 vintage baby girl names that still sound fresh todayJungkook style evolution: From bold eyeliner to quiet luxury, how BTS’ star transformed his fashion5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab unit disciplinary committee on Friday issued show-cause notices to three of its leaders for making statements about party’s internal affairs and organisational matters.The notices have been issued to former Sangrur district presidents Randeep Singh Deol, Maninder Singh Kapial and Jatinder Kalra.The disciplinary committee said that such conduct prima facie adversely affected the party’s reputation, credibility and organisational image.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe party has directed the individuals to submit their written explanations within 7 days of receiving the notice, explaining why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them for allegedly violating party discipline and damaging the party’s reputation.The notices further seek specific clarification regarding each individual’s role in the press conference, statements made by them, and the purpose of the press conference.This comes after the three leaders held a press conference in Sangrur on August 25.Recent organisational reshuffle in BJP led to dissent among sections of leaders who accused the state leadership of sidelining the old cadre.This comes after BJP’s state in charge BL Santosh began his two-day visit to Punjab to review the party’s organisational functioning and strengthen coordination and preparedness at the grassroots level in the poll-bound state.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories10 vintage baby girl names that still sound fresh todayJungkook style evolution: From bold eyeliner to quiet luxury, how BTS’ star transformed his fashion5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash


Punjab BJP cracks down on 3 leaders over statements on internal affairs

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab unit disciplinary committee on Friday issued show-cause notices to three of its leaders for making statements about party’s internal affairs and organisational matters.The notices have been issued to former Sangrur district presidents Randeep Singh Deol, Maninder Singh Kapial and Jatinder Kalra.The disciplinary committee said that such conduct prima facie adversely affected the party’s reputation, credibility and organisational image.

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Home minister Amit Shah marked Raksha Bandhan by spending time with young girls battling Type 1 diabetes. NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah celebrated Raksha Bandhan in Ahmedabad on Friday with local girls diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.Sharing photographs of the girls — who hail from Gandhinagar, his Lok Sabha constituency — tying rakhi on his wrist, Shah posted on X: “Children with Type 1 diabetes require life-long insulin injections, which puts a major financial strain on their families. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our govt is providing such children free insulin for life.”“This visionary initiative, which many developed nations are still striving to implement, showcases the commitment of Modi govt to the principles of “service, compassion and security,” he added.The home minister wished the girls good health and a bright future. “For the Modi government, public service is not merely a responsibility but the guiding principle of compassionate governance. Only when the health of daughters is secure will the future of the family and society be secure. This initiative to provide free insulin to daughters on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan also symbolizes our commitment to the protection and health of daughters,” he said while speaking on the occasion.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesShah’s rakshabandhan gesture has a personal angle as well. The home minister has, by his own admission, reversed his diabetes by making major lifestyle changes since 2020. Speaking at a World Liver Day event last year, he revealed that by taking requisite sleep, hydration and the right food and regular exercise, he had almost ended his dependence on allopathic medicines and insulin.Type 1 diabetes, however, cannot be reversed or cured. It is linked to genetic factors and attacks insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. Usually diagnosed during childhood or adolescence, it makes those afflicted with it dependent for life on insulin therapy.The Modi govt had earlier this year decided to expand its Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram to put in place an integrated system for screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of juvenile diabetes.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? 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Home minister Amit Shah marked Raksha Bandhan by spending time with young girls battling Type 1 diabetes. NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah celebrated Raksha Bandhan in Ahmedabad on Friday with local girls diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.Sharing photographs of the girls — who hail from Gandhinagar, his Lok Sabha constituency — tying rakhi on his wrist, Shah posted on X: “Children with Type 1 diabetes require life-long insulin injections, which puts a major financial strain on their families. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our govt is providing such children free insulin for life.”“This visionary initiative, which many developed nations are still striving to implement, showcases the commitment of Modi govt to the principles of “service, compassion and security,” he added.The home minister wished the girls good health and a bright future. “For the Modi government, public service is not merely a responsibility but the guiding principle of compassionate governance. Only when the health of daughters is secure will the future of the family and society be secure. This initiative to provide free insulin to daughters on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan also symbolizes our commitment to the protection and health of daughters,” he said while speaking on the occasion.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesShah’s rakshabandhan gesture has a personal angle as well. The home minister has, by his own admission, reversed his diabetes by making major lifestyle changes since 2020. Speaking at a World Liver Day event last year, he revealed that by taking requisite sleep, hydration and the right food and regular exercise, he had almost ended his dependence on allopathic medicines and insulin.Type 1 diabetes, however, cannot be reversed or cured. It is linked to genetic factors and attacks insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. Usually diagnosed during childhood or adolescence, it makes those afflicted with it dependent for life on insulin therapy.The Modi govt had earlier this year decided to expand its Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram to put in place an integrated system for screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of juvenile diabetes.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? 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Mayawati’s solo Punjab gamble tests whether the state’s 32% Dalit population can translate into a consolidated BSP vote. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has decided to go solo in the upcoming 2027 Punjab assembly election. This move has put the spotlight on a striking contradiction in the state’s politics: Punjab has India’s highest proportion of Scheduled Castes, but no political party has been able to turn that numerical strength into a durable Dalit vote bloc.On August 25, Mayawati announced that the BSP would contest the polls “alone without any alliance or compromise with anyone”, arguing that electoral tie-ups risked weakening the party’s vote share and demoralising its cadre.The decision carries particular significance in Punjab, where BSP founder Kanshi Ram began his political journey and where Scheduled Castes account for 31.94% of the population, according to the 2011 Census.Yet nearly one-third of Punjab’s population has never translated into nearly one-third of the vote for the BSP – or any other Dalit-centric political formation.Instead, the Dalit electorate has remained divided across caste, religious, regional and economic lines, allowing the Congress, AAP, SAD and BJP to each build pockets of support within it.That makes Mayawati’s 2027 gamble less about the size of Punjab’s Dalit population and more about a difficult political question: Can she turn the state’s 32% Dalit population into a coherent electoral bloc?Punjab’s number paradoxThe numbers explain why every major political party wants a share of the Dalit vote.Punjab had about 88.6 lakh Scheduled Castes in the 2011 Census, accounting for 31.94% of its population – the highest SC proportion among Indian states. The community is particularly concentrated in the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr.Eight of Doaba’s 23 assembly constituencies are reserved for SC candidates, while both Lok Sabha constituencies in the region, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, are reserved.Across Punjab, 34 of the 117 assembly seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates. But the political influence of Dalit voters extends far beyond these constituencies.In Punjab, Dalits are divided into several sub-castes and religion. A 2021 analysis by Lokniti-CSDS professor Sanjay Kumar found that Dalits accounted for more than 30% of voters in 54 assembly constituencies and between 20% and 30% in another 45.In other words, Dalit voters can influence far more than the 34 seats formally reserved for them.But there is a crucial caveat: ‘Dalit’ is not a single political identity in Punjab.The community comprises several sub-caste and religious groups, including Ravidassias/Ad-Dharmis, Mazhabi Sikhs, Ramdasias and others. Their geographical distribution, religious affiliations, economic circumstances and political histories differ.That fragmentation has repeatedly prevented the kind of consolidated Dalit politics that emerged around the BSP in Uttar Pradesh.Punjab’s agrarian structure adds another layer. Land and economic power remain disproportionately concentrated among dominant agrarian communities, particularly Jat Sikhs. As a result, Dalit politics in the state often revolves around land rights, employment, reservation, social dignity and access to common resources, rather than caste identity alone.From Kanshi Ram’s Punjab to BSP’s high-water markMayawati pays tribute on death anniversary of Kanshi Ram. The irony is that Punjab was once among the BSP’s strongest political laboratories.Kanshi Ram, born in Punjab, built his early political movement around the mobilisation of Scheduled Castes and other marginalised communities before founding the BSP in 1984.The party’s breakthrough in Punjab came in the 1992 election. It won nine of the state’s 117 seats with 16.32% of the vote, emerging as the principal opposition party in the House. Six of those nine seats came from Doaba, underlining the region’s importance to the party’s political project.But the breakthrough proved difficult to sustain.In 1997, the BSP’s tally fell to one seat, although it still secured 7.48% of the vote. Its vote share then declined steadily — to 5.69% in 2002, 4.13% in 2007 and 4.29% in 2012. By 2017, it had fallen to 1.52%.In 2022, the BSP won just one seat with 1.77% of the vote, contesting as part of its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal.The steep decline in three decades captures the central problem Mayawati now faces.How 2022 exposed the paradoxIf the BSP’s decline showed the difficulty of sustaining Dalit-centric politics, the 2022 assembly election demonstrated how effectively mainstream parties can cut across caste identities.The AAP won 92 of Punjab’s 117 seats with 42.01% of the statewide vote, while Congress was reduced to 18 seats.The AAP’s performance was particularly striking in SC-reserved constituencies. It won 29 of the 34 reserved seats, while Congress won four and the SAD-BSP alliance one.The result also undercut the assumption that Congress’s elevation of Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab’s first Dalit CM would automatically consolidate the Dalit vote behind the party. Channi became CM in September 2021, just months before the election. His elevation was widely viewed as an attempt to appeal to the state’s huge Dalit electorate.But in March 2022, Congress suffered a dramatic defeat.SAD and its alliance routeThe SAD has historically had its own Dalit support base, particularly among Sikh Dalits.Its alliance with Mayawati ahead of the 2022 election was an attempt to combine the Akali network among sections of the Sikh electorate with the BSP’s Dalit support base.The combination, however, failed to produce the revival the two parties had hoped for. The alliance won four seats – three for the SAD and one for the BSP – with a combined vote share of around 20%.BJP’s gamble: From alliance politics to going soloThe BJP faces perhaps the most difficult social-coalition challenge of all.Its long-standing electoral arrangement with the SAD ended after the Akali Dal walked out of the NDA at the Centre over the farm laws.The BJP is now trying to establish itself as an independent force in a state where it historically relied heavily on the Akali alliance to provide it with a rural and Sikh social base. That means the party needs to build coalitions beyond the constituencies it traditionally relied on, while also trying to repair its relationship with farmers.Dalit voters are an obvious part of that expansion strategy.But Punjab is not Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. There, the BJP has invested heavily in a social coalition involving non-Yadav OBCs and Dalits. A different caste and religious configuration shapes Punjab’s political landscape, while its agrarian structure and Sikh identity make the BJP’s social engineering considerably more complicated.For the BJP, winning Dalit voters is therefore not simply about adding another community to its support base. It is about constructing an entirely new political coalition in a state where its old alliance no longer provides the same electoral cushion.AAP’s pitch: Welfare, not identityThe AAP has already demonstrated why the size of the Dalit population does not automatically translate into BSP votes.In 2022, the party’s appeal cut across caste lines, combining welfare, anti-incumbency and the promise of an alternative to the traditional parties. It also had the ‘Delhi model’ to demonstrate its pitch.AAP sought to build a political vocabulary around BR Ambedkar, combining Ambedkarite symbolism with a broader welfare narrative.Rather than presenting Dalits as a separate electoral constituency, the party has sought to fold their concerns into a larger promise around government schools, healthcare, jobs, welfare delivery and social dignity.However, now the 2027 election will test whether AAP can retain that support after a full term in government.Congress has history, but not the Dalit lockCongress has historically had a strong base among both Hindu and Sikh Dalits in Punjab, but its 2022 performance showed the limits of that advantage. In the 2017 election, the party won 21 of 34 SC-reserved seats; by 2022, after making Charanjit Singh Channi the state’s first Dalit CM and projecting him as its CM face, Congress was reduced to just four reserved seats, while AAP won 29.The setback has not ended Congress’s Dalit outreach. In January 2026, Channi himself raised questions within the party over the representation of Dalit leaders, pointing out that several key Punjab Congress positions were held by Jat Sikhs.For Congress, the 2027 challenge is therefore not winning Dalit votes from scratch, but rebuilding a social coalition it once had, without reducing Dalit politics to the Channi factor alone.Mayawati’s real gambleMayawati’s decision to contest alone is therefore both ideological and organisational.The BSP has something only a few parties can claim: a political vocabulary explicitly built around Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and Bahujan mobilisation. Punjab also provides the demographic foundation for such a project.But the party’s electoral history demonstrates the enormous gap between having a potential social constituency and converting it into votes and seats.The challenge is not simply to persuade Dalits to vote for the BSP. It is to persuade different Dalit communities that their interests are sufficiently common to vote for the same party. That is a much harder proposition in Punjab than the 32% figure suggests.Ready to play a spoilsport?There is, however, another reason Mayawati’s decision could matter even if the BSP does not return to anything close to its 1992 performance.Punjab’s 2027 contest is shaping up as a fragmented battle involving AAP, Congress, BJP and SAD, although the possibility of a BJP-SAD reunion remains open.In such a contest, even a relatively small but geographically concentrated BSP vote could become consequential.The party’s past performance offers a warning to the larger parties. In 2024, the BSP was reported to have remained a significant factor in parts of Doaba despite its shrinking statewide base, with observers pointing to its potential to influence contests in seats such as Anandpur Sahib, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThat is the paradox of Mayawati’s Punjab gamble.The BSP may no longer have the numbers to dominate Punjab’s Dalit politics, but it could still have enough votes to disrupt everyone else’s arithmetic.The 2027 election will therefore test not just whether Mayawati can revive the BSP in Kanshi Ram’s home state, but whether Punjab’s nearly 32% Dalit population can finally translate its demographic weight into political leverage – if not as a single bloc, then as the constituency no major party can afford to ignore.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? 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Mayawati’s solo Punjab gamble tests whether the state’s 32% Dalit population can translate into a consolidated BSP vote. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has decided to go solo in the upcoming 2027 Punjab assembly election. This move has put the spotlight on a striking contradiction in the state’s politics: Punjab has India’s highest proportion of Scheduled Castes, but no political party has been able to turn that numerical strength into a durable Dalit vote bloc.On August 25, Mayawati announced that the BSP would contest the polls “alone without any alliance or compromise with anyone”, arguing that electoral tie-ups risked weakening the party’s vote share and demoralising its cadre.The decision carries particular significance in Punjab, where BSP founder Kanshi Ram began his political journey and where Scheduled Castes account for 31.94% of the population, according to the 2011 Census.Yet nearly one-third of Punjab’s population has never translated into nearly one-third of the vote for the BSP – or any other Dalit-centric political formation.Instead, the Dalit electorate has remained divided across caste, religious, regional and economic lines, allowing the Congress, AAP, SAD and BJP to each build pockets of support within it.That makes Mayawati’s 2027 gamble less about the size of Punjab’s Dalit population and more about a difficult political question: Can she turn the state’s 32% Dalit population into a coherent electoral bloc?Punjab’s number paradoxThe numbers explain why every major political party wants a share of the Dalit vote.Punjab had about 88.6 lakh Scheduled Castes in the 2011 Census, accounting for 31.94% of its population – the highest SC proportion among Indian states. The community is particularly concentrated in the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr.Eight of Doaba’s 23 assembly constituencies are reserved for SC candidates, while both Lok Sabha constituencies in the region, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, are reserved.Across Punjab, 34 of the 117 assembly seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates. But the political influence of Dalit voters extends far beyond these constituencies.In Punjab, Dalits are divided into several sub-castes and religion. A 2021 analysis by Lokniti-CSDS professor Sanjay Kumar found that Dalits accounted for more than 30% of voters in 54 assembly constituencies and between 20% and 30% in another 45.In other words, Dalit voters can influence far more than the 34 seats formally reserved for them.But there is a crucial caveat: ‘Dalit’ is not a single political identity in Punjab.The community comprises several sub-caste and religious groups, including Ravidassias/Ad-Dharmis, Mazhabi Sikhs, Ramdasias and others. Their geographical distribution, religious affiliations, economic circumstances and political histories differ.That fragmentation has repeatedly prevented the kind of consolidated Dalit politics that emerged around the BSP in Uttar Pradesh.Punjab’s agrarian structure adds another layer. Land and economic power remain disproportionately concentrated among dominant agrarian communities, particularly Jat Sikhs. As a result, Dalit politics in the state often revolves around land rights, employment, reservation, social dignity and access to common resources, rather than caste identity alone.From Kanshi Ram’s Punjab to BSP’s high-water markMayawati pays tribute on death anniversary of Kanshi Ram. The irony is that Punjab was once among the BSP’s strongest political laboratories.Kanshi Ram, born in Punjab, built his early political movement around the mobilisation of Scheduled Castes and other marginalised communities before founding the BSP in 1984.The party’s breakthrough in Punjab came in the 1992 election. It won nine of the state’s 117 seats with 16.32% of the vote, emerging as the principal opposition party in the House. Six of those nine seats came from Doaba, underlining the region’s importance to the party’s political project.But the breakthrough proved difficult to sustain.In 1997, the BSP’s tally fell to one seat, although it still secured 7.48% of the vote. Its vote share then declined steadily — to 5.69% in 2002, 4.13% in 2007 and 4.29% in 2012. By 2017, it had fallen to 1.52%.In 2022, the BSP won just one seat with 1.77% of the vote, contesting as part of its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal.The steep decline in three decades captures the central problem Mayawati now faces.How 2022 exposed the paradoxIf the BSP’s decline showed the difficulty of sustaining Dalit-centric politics, the 2022 assembly election demonstrated how effectively mainstream parties can cut across caste identities.The AAP won 92 of Punjab’s 117 seats with 42.01% of the statewide vote, while Congress was reduced to 18 seats.The AAP’s performance was particularly striking in SC-reserved constituencies. It won 29 of the 34 reserved seats, while Congress won four and the SAD-BSP alliance one.The result also undercut the assumption that Congress’s elevation of Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab’s first Dalit CM would automatically consolidate the Dalit vote behind the party. Channi became CM in September 2021, just months before the election. His elevation was widely viewed as an attempt to appeal to the state’s huge Dalit electorate.But in March 2022, Congress suffered a dramatic defeat.SAD and its alliance routeThe SAD has historically had its own Dalit support base, particularly among Sikh Dalits.Its alliance with Mayawati ahead of the 2022 election was an attempt to combine the Akali network among sections of the Sikh electorate with the BSP’s Dalit support base.The combination, however, failed to produce the revival the two parties had hoped for. The alliance won four seats – three for the SAD and one for the BSP – with a combined vote share of around 20%.BJP’s gamble: From alliance politics to going soloThe BJP faces perhaps the most difficult social-coalition challenge of all.Its long-standing electoral arrangement with the SAD ended after the Akali Dal walked out of the NDA at the Centre over the farm laws.The BJP is now trying to establish itself as an independent force in a state where it historically relied heavily on the Akali alliance to provide it with a rural and Sikh social base. That means the party needs to build coalitions beyond the constituencies it traditionally relied on, while also trying to repair its relationship with farmers.Dalit voters are an obvious part of that expansion strategy.But Punjab is not Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. There, the BJP has invested heavily in a social coalition involving non-Yadav OBCs and Dalits. A different caste and religious configuration shapes Punjab’s political landscape, while its agrarian structure and Sikh identity make the BJP’s social engineering considerably more complicated.For the BJP, winning Dalit voters is therefore not simply about adding another community to its support base. It is about constructing an entirely new political coalition in a state where its old alliance no longer provides the same electoral cushion.AAP’s pitch: Welfare, not identityThe AAP has already demonstrated why the size of the Dalit population does not automatically translate into BSP votes.In 2022, the party’s appeal cut across caste lines, combining welfare, anti-incumbency and the promise of an alternative to the traditional parties. It also had the ‘Delhi model’ to demonstrate its pitch.AAP sought to build a political vocabulary around BR Ambedkar, combining Ambedkarite symbolism with a broader welfare narrative.Rather than presenting Dalits as a separate electoral constituency, the party has sought to fold their concerns into a larger promise around government schools, healthcare, jobs, welfare delivery and social dignity.However, now the 2027 election will test whether AAP can retain that support after a full term in government.Congress has history, but not the Dalit lockCongress has historically had a strong base among both Hindu and Sikh Dalits in Punjab, but its 2022 performance showed the limits of that advantage. In the 2017 election, the party won 21 of 34 SC-reserved seats; by 2022, after making Charanjit Singh Channi the state’s first Dalit CM and projecting him as its CM face, Congress was reduced to just four reserved seats, while AAP won 29.The setback has not ended Congress’s Dalit outreach. In January 2026, Channi himself raised questions within the party over the representation of Dalit leaders, pointing out that several key Punjab Congress positions were held by Jat Sikhs.For Congress, the 2027 challenge is therefore not winning Dalit votes from scratch, but rebuilding a social coalition it once had, without reducing Dalit politics to the Channi factor alone.Mayawati’s real gambleMayawati’s decision to contest alone is therefore both ideological and organisational.The BSP has something only a few parties can claim: a political vocabulary explicitly built around Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and Bahujan mobilisation. Punjab also provides the demographic foundation for such a project.But the party’s electoral history demonstrates the enormous gap between having a potential social constituency and converting it into votes and seats.The challenge is not simply to persuade Dalits to vote for the BSP. It is to persuade different Dalit communities that their interests are sufficiently common to vote for the same party. That is a much harder proposition in Punjab than the 32% figure suggests.Ready to play a spoilsport?There is, however, another reason Mayawati’s decision could matter even if the BSP does not return to anything close to its 1992 performance.Punjab’s 2027 contest is shaping up as a fragmented battle involving AAP, Congress, BJP and SAD, although the possibility of a BJP-SAD reunion remains open.In such a contest, even a relatively small but geographically concentrated BSP vote could become consequential.The party’s past performance offers a warning to the larger parties. In 2024, the BSP was reported to have remained a significant factor in parts of Doaba despite its shrinking statewide base, with observers pointing to its potential to influence contests in seats such as Anandpur Sahib, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThat is the paradox of Mayawati’s Punjab gamble.The BSP may no longer have the numbers to dominate Punjab’s Dalit politics, but it could still have enough votes to disrupt everyone else’s arithmetic.The 2027 election will therefore test not just whether Mayawati can revive the BSP in Kanshi Ram’s home state, but whether Punjab’s nearly 32% Dalit population can finally translate its demographic weight into political leverage – if not as a single bloc, then as the constituency no major party can afford to ignore.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? 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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women NEW DELHI: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Raksha Bandhan announced a series of measures aimed at improving women’s safety, mobility and economic empowerment, including free travel in Roadways buses for women aged 60 years and above.The announcements were made during a Raksha Bandhan programme at Chakarpur Stadium, where women tied rakhis to Dhami. The chief minister said the initiatives reflected the government’s commitment to women’s dignity, safety and self-reliance.Under the new provision, women aged 60 years and above will be able to travel free of cost in Roadways buses. The facility was earlier available to senior citizens above 65 years of age.Dhami also announced that 10 of the 100 electric buses to be operated in Dehradun under the PM e-Bus Sewa will be dedicated to women as Pink e-Buses. He said the facility would subsequently be expanded to other parts of Uttarakhand in phases to provide women with safer and more convenient public transport.The government has also increased the concessional bank loan limit under the Women’s Self-Employment Scheme from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.50 lakh. Dhami said the move was intended to provide women with greater access to capital and encourage them to become employment providers rather than only job seekers.He further announced plans to develop modern, high-tech toilets with contemporary facilities at major public places, markets, tourist destinations and other important locations across the state. The facilities will focus on cleanliness, privacy, safety and convenience for women.Addressing the gathering, Dhami said women’s dignity and safety were among the government’s highest priorities. He said Raksha Bandhan was not only a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters but also a reminder of responsibility, respect and commitment towards women.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDhami highlighted schemes including the Nanda Gaura Yojana, Chief Minister Mahalakshmi Kit Yojana, 181 Women Helpline and One Stop Centres. He also said women have been provided 30 percent horizontal reservation in government services.The chief minister said 3.09 lakh women in Uttarakhand had become Lakhpati Didis. He urged them to set a bigger goal of becoming Crorepati Didis and assured them of continued government support.He also highlighted interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for Self-Help Groups and the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana, under which women are being provided better market access for their products.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories10 vintage baby girl names that still sound fresh today5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? 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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women NEW DELHI: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Raksha Bandhan announced a series of measures aimed at improving women’s safety, mobility and economic empowerment, including free travel in Roadways buses for women aged 60 years and above.The announcements were made during a Raksha Bandhan programme at Chakarpur Stadium, where women tied rakhis to Dhami. The chief minister said the initiatives reflected the government’s commitment to women’s dignity, safety and self-reliance.Under the new provision, women aged 60 years and above will be able to travel free of cost in Roadways buses. The facility was earlier available to senior citizens above 65 years of age.Dhami also announced that 10 of the 100 electric buses to be operated in Dehradun under the PM e-Bus Sewa will be dedicated to women as Pink e-Buses. He said the facility would subsequently be expanded to other parts of Uttarakhand in phases to provide women with safer and more convenient public transport.The government has also increased the concessional bank loan limit under the Women’s Self-Employment Scheme from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.50 lakh. Dhami said the move was intended to provide women with greater access to capital and encourage them to become employment providers rather than only job seekers.He further announced plans to develop modern, high-tech toilets with contemporary facilities at major public places, markets, tourist destinations and other important locations across the state. The facilities will focus on cleanliness, privacy, safety and convenience for women.Addressing the gathering, Dhami said women’s dignity and safety were among the government’s highest priorities. He said Raksha Bandhan was not only a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters but also a reminder of responsibility, respect and commitment towards women.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDhami highlighted schemes including the Nanda Gaura Yojana, Chief Minister Mahalakshmi Kit Yojana, 181 Women Helpline and One Stop Centres. He also said women have been provided 30 percent horizontal reservation in government services.The chief minister said 3.09 lakh women in Uttarakhand had become Lakhpati Didis. He urged them to set a bigger goal of becoming Crorepati Didis and assured them of continued government support.He also highlighted interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for Self-Help Groups and the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana, under which women are being provided better market access for their products.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories10 vintage baby girl names that still sound fresh today5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriage123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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Punjab health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh NEW DELHI: Beneficiaries treated under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) are receiving follow-up calls from the state’s 104 Health Helpline after discharge, with officials seeking feedback on their health, medicines and treatment experience.Hardev Singh from Mansa, who underwent orthopaedic treatment at DH Bathinda, said he received cashless treatment under the scheme and was later contacted by the 104 helpline. The team enquired about his treatment, current health, any problems he had faced and whether he had received the prescribed medicines after discharge.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSimilarly, Baldev Singh from Hoshiarpur, who was treated for an orthopaedic condition at SDH Dasuya, said he received treatment without making any payment and was provided medicines after discharge. He too received a follow-up call from the 104 team.Health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh said the calls are aimed at gathering feedback from beneficiaries on their treatment and overall hospital experience.”Beneficiaries are asked about their hospitalisation, treatment records, medicines received after discharge and their satisfaction with the care provided,” the minister said.The feedback is also used to identify problems faced by patients after treatment and assess their experience with the health services, officials said.The 104 helpline also provides free medical consultation and guidance, psychological and de-addiction counselling, grievance redressal, and information about government health schemes, including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

Punjab health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh NEW DELHI: Beneficiaries treated under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) are receiving follow-up calls from the state’s 104 Health Helpline after discharge, with officials seeking feedback on their health, medicines and treatment experience.Hardev Singh from Mansa, who underwent orthopaedic treatment at DH Bathinda, said he received cashless treatment under the scheme and was later contacted by the 104 helpline. The team enquired about his treatment, current health, any problems he had faced and whether he had received the prescribed medicines after discharge.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSimilarly, Baldev Singh from Hoshiarpur, who was treated for an orthopaedic condition at SDH Dasuya, said he received treatment without making any payment and was provided medicines after discharge. He too received a follow-up call from the 104 team.Health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh said the calls are aimed at gathering feedback from beneficiaries on their treatment and overall hospital experience.”Beneficiaries are asked about their hospitalisation, treatment records, medicines received after discharge and their satisfaction with the care provided,” the minister said.The feedback is also used to identify problems faced by patients after treatment and assess their experience with the health services, officials said.The 104 helpline also provides free medical consultation and guidance, psychological and de-addiction counselling, grievance redressal, and information about government health schemes, including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes, Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGovt Taps EIL For Quality Checks On 5,000 Km Of Road Projects After Modi’s ‘4th-Party Audit’ Jibe469 Dead In Nepal Floods; 3 Bodies Found In Uttar Pradesh; Kathmandu Declines Foreign Rescue TeamsCongress Alleges ₹36,000 Crore ‘Sugar Scam’, Slams Modi Govt Over Festive Price RisePM Modi’s Central Asia Visit: SCO Summit, Uzbekistan Ties, Putin Meet In FocusCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government Documents123Photostories5 jewellery styling mistakes to avoid with traditional festive outfitsLock Upp 2 fame Akanksha Chamola’s luxurious Mumbai home: Elegant interiors, cosy living room and beautiful mandirH1N1 Or COVID-19? Symptoms may look the same, but the diagnosis can mean a very different treatment approachMakeup not lasting all day? Here’s why your base melts by noonThe ‘ick’ explained: 7 reasons attraction between partners can suddenly disappear (and how to bring the spark back)5 reasons people pull away even when they have feelings7 signs you like the idea of a romantic relationship more than your partnerCuff too tight, legs crossed or talking? Cardiologist reveals 5 home BP mistakes that can alter readings5 habits that can quietly damage a marriageNepal flash flood: 7 glacial hotspots around the world facing rising climate risks123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash

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