Punjab politics is going through one of the most heated periods ever in the history of the state. And the reason is obvious the upcoming assembly elections in the state next year. The upcoming elections are very important for each and every political party present in the state as this election could be the reason for gaining everything or losing everything. That is the reason every political party is giving everything out to their mission 2017 in Punjab.
Major Political Parties in Punjab
- Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
- Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)
- Indian National Congress (INC)
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Usually, there was always a bilateral fight in the state between Akali Dal and Congress but this time, it’s not going to be the same. As with the grand entry of Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party during General Elections in 2014 where the party wins the four seats, one more than INC. So this time, the fight in Punjab will be trilateral between SAD-BJP, INC and AAP.
Punjab Assembly Elections 2017 Schedule
Assembly Elections in the state could take place anytime in the first quarter of next year, but most expectedly the elections will take place either in January or February. We will update with the details as soon as they will be officially out.
Current Scenario for Election in Punjab
As per the current scenario, People in the state want the change as the SAD-BJP has been in power for two tenures. But this is not a good news for Congress at all because now people are much more aware and they also are questioning the role of congress as an opposition. People are looking for a third option in the state, and they are looking for that option in Aam Aadmi Party and that is the reason behind such a quick and wide reach of AAP in Punjab.
Shiromani Akali Dal-Bhartiya Janta Party(SAD-BJP)
Ruling SAD-BJP government is facing heat over multiple issues including Corruption, Non-development and most importantly rising Drugs in the state. And this time, the anti-incumbency will be going to be a real dominating factor that will be going to effect. Also, SAD-BJP also lost its usual voter in the rural Punjab, however still the voter of urban Punjab is with SAD-BJP. But the Rural Punjabi voters are much larger in the state than the urban ones. Even the NRI Punjabis are also against the ruling government, despite the fact that the government focused very much on the NRI’s.
Indian National Congress
On the other side, the people are also not willing to trust Congress, the current opposition party too. The major issue congress is facing is the loss of trust among the voters for the party. People are also questioning the congress’s role as the opposition in the assembly as they failed to oppose the policies of the government. However, comparatively to other parties Congress has got the most of the vote percentage in 2014 but that failed to convert into seats for them. But now the benefit with congress have is that they are united as a front in the state as earlier they were divided in two fronts led by Capt. Amrinder Singh and Partap Singh Bajwa.
Aam Aadmi Party
Now talking about the third front, Aam Aadmi Party is looking strong in Punjab as they are spirited up after the results of 2014 General Elections, in which they won only 4 seats and that too only from Punjab. And now they are leaving no stone unturned to expand in Punjab and are even getting trust from the Punjabi’s either. But Politics is not at all easy, lack of experience can be clearly seen among the party leaders and leadership.
The split between the leaders is causing loss to the party and its image. Two of the party’s MP’s including Dr Dharamveer Gandhi from Patiala, Harinder Singh Khalsa from Fatehgarh Sahib are suspended from the party and even recently the AAP’s former Punjab Convenor and Senior leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur has also been shown the way out of the party. This leads to huge loss of party value in Punjab.
Other Political Parties in Punjab
There are many other parties contesting in Punjab elections including the all new Awaaz-e-Punjab by Navjot Singh Sidhu, Bains Brothers and former Akali MLA Pargat Singh. Other than this, the new front by Dharamveer Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa could also contest the elections. Other than that BSP, CPI also will be seen fighting the elections but now they really have something to compete or not, only time will tell.
Possible Chief Minister Candidates in Punjab
- SAD-BJP could possibly want CM Parkash Singh Badal to be CM Candidate again, but the health of Parkash Singh Badal could be a concern. So most possibly Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is currently the Vice-Chief Minister of state, could be the face SAD-BJP in upcoming elections.
- Indian National Congress is clear about its Punjab CM candidate as the unit is keeping the face of former Punjab CM and current MP from Amritsar Capt. Amrinder Singh will be the Congress’s chief ministerial candidate.
- Most possibly, AAP Could go for elections without any face for CM Candidate and will contest only with the face of the party convener Arvind Kejriwal. As there is a dispute among the party leaders, so this is the safest way AAP could use.
Punjab Assembly Election 2017 Opinion Poll
There is not any authentic and trustworthy polls been conducted so far, but every front is confident of the results could be into their favour. But, the in-party polls are negative for SAD-BJP and that’s what has alarmed the party to work hard. However, congress’s in-party poll is also positive but not up to the par and AAP’s in-party-poll is enough to show their overconfidence. As AAP is predicting up to 100 Seats in Punjab but this contest is not even going to be that easy.
However, one of the polls Conducted by ‘India Trending Now’ predicted AAP’s victory with the 2/3rd majority but it’s not worthy to be believed in because it was conducted too early. So we should wait for the opinion polls by news agencies, that could better define the mood of Punjab’s voter. However, opinion polls also could not be believed completely as they could also be proved wrong.
Though, we should wait for some authentic and trustworthy opinion polls on Punjab election, so that we could better understand the political scenario of Punjab better ahead of the elections.
