SANGRUR, May 24, 2026 — State development requires a unified political vision across all levels of governance, BJP Rajya Sabha member Satnam Singh Sandhu stated today on the final day of the municipal election campaign in Punjab. Speaking at a press conference in Sangrur, Sandhu asserted that establishing a “triple-engine government”—where federal, state, and local administrations coordinate directly—is essential to restoring economic growth.
The lawmaker completed an extensive public relations tour across three major cities in the Malwa region, including Sangrur, Sunam, and Mansa, before addressing the media. Senior party leaders Daman Thind Bajwa, Sherwinder Singh, and Jeevan Garg accompanied him during the campaign wrap-up.
Sandhu noted that federal urban development policies are shifting toward reform-based investment structures rather than traditional grant systems. He referenced the creation of a 1 lakh crore rupee Urban Challenge Fund, which organizers expect will leverage an additional 4 lakh crore rupees in total investments over the next five years through market funding and private partnerships.
“The scheme is reform-based rather than the traditional grant system,” Sandhu declared, explaining that the central government provides 25 percent of the funding, state governments match with 25 percent, and municipal corporations secure the remaining 50 percent through bonds or institutional loans.
For smaller urban centers with populations under 100,000, Sandhu stated that the central government has established a 5,000 crore rupee Credit Repayment Guarantee Corporation. He noted that this entity will provide a direct guarantee of up to 70 percent on municipal bank loans, allowing localities like Sangrur and Mansa to access substantial infrastructure capital.
The lawmaker affirmed that if victorious, the BJP will select 10 major cities in Punjab for comprehensive infrastructure upgrades. He maintained that Sangrur, Mansa, and Sunam are designated for inclusion under this modernization program.
“Developing Sunam, the birthplace of the country’s great revolutionary Shaheed Udham Singh, as a world-class city would be a true tribute to the legacy of the martyrs,” Sandhu asserted.
Sandhu stated that approximately 36.73 lakh urban voters are eligible to cast ballots in the municipal elections, with 7,623 candidates contesting the seats. He noted that the electorate comprises roughly 19.55 lakh men and 17.76 lakh women, representing 17.1 percent of Punjab’s total voting population.
The MP maintained that local voters currently experience severe administrative deficits, citing widespread issues with broken roadways, sewage overflows, and unmanaged waste dumps. He stated that federal allocations to local bodies have increased six-fold under the Finance Commission, yet local execution remains stalled.
Sandhu noted that while 3,626 crore rupees were allocated to Punjab under the AMRUT 2.0 urban renewal program, and 1.32 lakh houses were approved via federal housing schemes, administrative failures at the state level have slowed implementation. He urged residents to vote for BJP candidates to ensure federal welfare allocations reach individual neighborhoods without local political interference.
