India, Feb. 10 -- Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria's Drug-Free, Vibrant Punjab campaign assumed political overtones on Tuesday, sparking debate after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal joined the march in this border district.

While Raj Bhawan has called the initiative a non-partisan social movement to fight the drug menace, Badal's presence in the Governor-led march fuelled speculation regarding political realignments ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

Equally significant was participation of the head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon in the event, given that one of the spiritual organization's core preachings calls its adherents to stay away from all forms of intoxicants. The 135-ye...