A statewide strike by Punjab government employees, called the 'Maha Hartal', has intensified as workers press the AAP-led state government to accept their demands, including the release of pending dearness allowance. The agitation escalated after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cancelled a meeting with representatives of various employee unions that was scheduled in Jalandhar. Due to the strike, functioning has been affected across several government departments, and outpatient department (OPD) services in hospitals have also been hit. Around 7.50 lakh employees and pensioners are participating in the protest. Ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, the scale of the agitation presents a significant political challenge for the state government, with the potential to influence nearly 38 lakh voters when their families are taken into account.