India, Aug. 30 -- Rival parties use the religious gathering to mobilise supporters and project electoral strength ahead of the 2027 polls.

Punjab's political leadership converged on Amritsar's Baba Bakala on Friday as Rakhar Punia brought the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and four major political formations, the Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP, Congress and Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, onto separate stages in one of the state's most politically significant religious gatherings. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led the AAP programme at the grain market in Rayya, near Baba Bakala. The Shiromani Akali Dal held its political conference under the leadership of senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The BJP organised its own programme with Union Agriculture M...