The recent sweeping victory of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone because as a political face in the state, the Congress was an utter failure; Akali Dal was already pushed to the fence even as for BJP, there was no scope at all for it to see the party rising to power in a state that remained a giant focus during the landmark protest of the farmers across the country against the controversial farm laws—declared as historic for the farmers—rolled back at the end.
For the AAP, there was scope for its birth and gaining ground in Punjab as Congress was busy resolving the Amrinder-Siddhu issue that largely remained the overall focus of the party while the issues of the people remained unattended. As a face-saving well before the elections in the state, Congress also did what the parties end up doing to secure their vote bank: made a Dalit man the Chief Minister of the state who then tried to present a different picture and might have worked better for the people of Punjab. However, that too didn’t happen because the working within the system remained as it was earlier.
Much to the dismay of Congress, nothing seems to have helped them, something that was visible as the results of the election became public. The party was kicked out as it was from other parts of the country. On the other hand, while BJP was doing amazing in other parts of the country in terms of returning power, retaining power, in Punjab though, it couldn’t hold the ground.
AAP on the other side has a good track record of what the party did in Delhi. While things are going to be a bit different in Punjab, the AAP has got something to present to the people. It could persuade and gain the trust of people by telling them that they will replicate the Delhi model in Punjab. However, other parties in the fray had nothing substantial to offer to the people of the state. The Congress, Akalis were already tasted; BJP had to face the music of Farm Laws and other measures, leaving out AAP to be the best choice for the people.
AAP no matter did a great job in transforming education, healthcare and service delivery in Delhi, but in Punjab, they need to go beyond that; they need to venture out to address the daily issues of employment and other problems of the people of Punjab—this is what the party promised people before the elections. In a way replacing Congress, AAP is marching ahead, showcasing its best from Delhi to be replicated in Punjab. But the journey is not going to be easy at all.
