India, Feb. 10 -- Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria's Drug-Free, Vibrant Punjab campaign acquired political overtones on Tuesday, sparking debate after Radha Soami Satsang Beas head Gurinder Singh Dhillon and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal joined the march. While Raj Bhawan positioned the initiative as a non-partisan social movement to mobilise border districts, the rare convergence of the Dera Beas head and senior Akali leadership fuelled speculation regarding political realignments ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

Dhillon's participation is significant given the Dera Beas influence across the Malwa region and border belt. On February 2, Dhillon met SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in Nabha jail and calle...