Overview
- The AAP‑led Punjab government announced on Saturday that it will add Salasar Balaji, Khatu Shyam, Haridwar–Rishikesh and Mathura–Vrindavan to the Mukhyamantri Teerath Yatra and operate state‑funded Volvo buses for eligible citizens aged 50 and above.
- Arvind Kejriwal and state leaders said the government will pay travel costs, expand cultural programming and fund temple projects including a ₹85 crore renovation of Patiala’s Maa Kali Devi Temple due by September.
- The state also confirmed free stagings of Ashutosh Rana’s play 'Hey Ram!' across Punjab from the end of July with no entry charge for audiences.
- Punjab BJP on Sunday launched an eight‑day Panch Teerath Ambedkar yatra, flagged off buses for about 150 pilgrims, and said the party will bear travel and lodging costs to reach sites linked to Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s life.
- Analysts and multiple outlets say both parties are using these pilgrim and heritage tours as competitive welfare politics to mobilize key voter groups, with the BJP targeting Scheduled Caste communities and AAP broadening community‑wide religious and cultural outreach ahead of 2027.