February 2026

Panchkula, Haryana: Political tensions in the state have heightened following a power tariff revision introduced by the Haryana government, with opposition parties sharply criticising the move and staging protests — including one outside a power utilities office in Panchkula. The revision in electricity charges, the first since 2018, has sparked debate across political circles. While the government maintains that the new tariff structure will not significantly impact most domestic consumers, opposition leaders claim the increase will burden residents and businesses. In Panchkula, members of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) held a demonstration outside the power utilities’ headquarters to protest what they described as an “unfair hike” in power costs. Organisers accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government of imposing higher electricity rates without adequate public consultation — a charge rejected by official sources. Local political activists have highlighted concerns that increased tariffs could affect small business owners and residents who consume commercial quantities of electricity, intensifying pressure on households already managing rising living costs. This has triggered calls from community groups for clearer explanations and possible relief measures from the authorities. State government officials have defended the revision, saying the adjustment was necessary to balance the finances of power utilities and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across Haryana. They also emphasised that most residential consumers will see only modest changes under the new tariff regime. Political analysts note this dispute comes at a time of broader political contestation in Haryana, as opposition parties seek to capitalise on policy disagreements to challenge the BJP government ahead of upcoming local and state elections. As the debate over power tariffs continues, residents in Panchkula and elsewhere in the state are closely watching developments, with many urging dialogue between citizens, consumer bodies and elected representatives to address public concerns around electricity pricing.

Panchkula, Haryana: A solemn bhog and antim ardas (final prayer) ceremony was held on Sunday in memory of the late Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar at Gurdwara Sri Nada Sahib in Panchkula, with several political leaders, dignitaries and well-wishers in attendance. The event, organised to pay homage to the senior police officer who passed away earlier this year, drew prominent political figures who offered their condolences and emphasised the need for a transparent and fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Speaking at the ceremony, leaders highlighted Kumar’s long service and dedication to duty, and many echoed calls for justice and a thorough probe into the case. The emotional gathering was attended by senior politicians, community leaders and officials who shared their grief and respect for the late officer’s contributions. The ceremony at Gurdwara Nada Sahib was marked by prayers for Kumar’s soul, tributes from attendees and a unified demand for clarity and accountability in the ongoing examination of his death. Family members and colleagues also took part in the event, reflecting on his career and legacy. The calls for justice at the bhog come amid heightened public and political attention on the case, prompting renewed discussion about the investigation process and the need to address concerns raised by his supporters and community members. As the probe continues, officials and political leaders have underscored the importance of ensuring that all aspects of the circumstances leading to Kumar’s death are thoroughly and fairly examined, in order to honour his service and provide closure to his family and the wider community.

Panchkula, Haryana: In a major political demonstration on Tuesday, workers and leaders of the Indian National Congress staged protests outside Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offices in both Chandigarh and Panchkula, accusing the ruling party of political vendetta in the ongoing National Herald case. The protest was led by senior Congress leaders and local party workers who gathered outside BJP offices, demanding what they termed justice and transparency in the high-profile case involving the National Herald newspaper and Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL). The National Herald case, which has drawn political attention nationwide, centres on allegations related to the transfer and alleged misuse of party-linked assets — including land in Panchkula — and the subsequent investigations by central agencies. Addressing the crowd, Chandigarh Pradesh Congress Committee President H.S. Lucky criticised the BJP government, alleging that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other enforcement agencies are being used under pressure from the Prime Minister and Home Minister to target opposition leaders unfairly. He accused the BJP of weaponising legal processes to tarnish the reputation of Congress leadership and divert public attention from governance issues. Demonstrators carried banners and chanted slogans outside the party offices, emphasising that the protest was a peaceful demonstration of dissent against what they called selective political targeting in the National Herald proceedings. The demonstration in Panchkula drew several local workers and supporters, highlighting the strong reaction among the opposition rank and file in the region. Political observers say the protests underscore the heightened political tension ahead of upcoming civic and state polls, and the deepening divide between the BJP and Congress over issues of accountability and the role of investigative agencies in political matters. Meanwhile, authorities monitored the protests to ensure they remained peaceful, with no major law-and-order disruptions reported from either Chandigarh or Panchkula during the demonstrations.

Panchkula, Haryana: The proposed ward delimitation process for the upcoming Panchkula Municipal Corporation elections has set off active political manoeuvring and debate among local leaders and parties, even before the official poll dates are announced. Under the new delimitation plan, the boundaries and composition of the existing municipal wards are being revised in anticipation of the civic polls. Although the total number of wards in the Panchkula Municipal Corporation remains unchanged, the redistributing of local areas across these wards has drawn reactions from various political circles, with leaders now busy realigning their strategies in response to the changes. Several local party representatives and prospective candidates have been seen intensifying their engagements with residents, seeking feedback and support as the revised ward structure opens up new electoral calculations across the city’s civic body. With ward boundaries altered, the demographic makeup and voter profiles in certain areas have shifted, prompting politicians to adjust their outreach plans and campaign messaging ahead of the polls. The delimitation exercise has also prompted legal and political scrutiny, with some leaders questioning its fairness and transparency — a matter that has drawn public attention in the run-up to municipal elections. At the same time, others see the changes as an opportunity to strengthen their political presence in newly demarcated wards and build momentum among local voters. Civic and political analysts note that ward delimitations often influence campaign tactics and candidate selection, given that newly drawn boundaries can change the balance of support in key localities. In Panchkula, this has translated into increased discussions around electoral issues and heightened activity among both seasoned councillors and first-time contenders. As Panchkula prepares for its municipal polls, expected to be keenly contested, political parties are watching the delimitation developments closely and gearing up to mobilise support across all sections of the city’s electorate.