AAP… kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana…

AAP keeps eye on Himachal and Gujarat 

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is becoming a “political master” within a very short tenure of its existence in the country. Presently, this political party is focusing in Punjab to replicate the Delhi model of governance to give a message to the masses that it is the only political party which stands firmly to implement its poll promises. Thus, AAP is focusing on Punjab but its next target is to achieve success in the coming assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. The party has come to power with two third majority in Punjab. Now, the party is keeping an eye on the other two states namely Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh where the assembly elections are going to be held this year. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has announced of 300 free units electricity to Punjab consumers w.e.f. from 1st July 2022. Upto 2 K.W. load the arrears up to 31st December 2021 have been cleared. The notification specially in the Education Sector in regard to the procurement of books, uniforms by parents for their students has been issued curbing the menace of monopoly of sale of books and uniforms by specified dealers only. It is clear that the vision of AAP at present is to win in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat highlighting the achievements and reforms they have implemented in Punjab as per the Delhi model of governance. Even though BJP high command have succeeded in making split in AAP with the state president of AAP in Himachal Pradesh and other leaders joining BJP in Delhi. AAP convener and CM Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and his party will try to encash the achievements and reforms in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections that implemented in Punjab in a short span of time. In Himachal Pradesh it is history that the state witnessed change in power after every five years but this time due to division of votes nothing can be predicted that whose votes will be cut by AAP or which party will be the winner. In Punjab, people were on a silent mode and through their power of vote gave majority to AAP and neglected other political parties including BJP and Congress. Now in the coming assembly elections the future of AAP cannot be predicted that whether it will give a tough fight or not. AAP will once again announce guarantees for the people of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly elections to woo the voters, but BJP high command will have to make a strategy to counter the future guarantees that AAP announces in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

BJP on election mode in Himachal 
Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur has announced 150 free units of electricity to every domestic consumer and 50 percent rebate in the bus fare to females. Thus, it’s clear that BJP is on election mode in Himachal Pradesh. BJP’s national president JP Nadda and Union Minister Anurag Thakur will leave no stone unturned to ensure successive victory in Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. 

It’s acid test for Warring  
Congress high command has replaced Navjot Singh Sidhu with Amrinder Singh Warring as its new state president. It will be an acid test for Warring to show his working and functioning for the coming municipal corporation elections which are due next year. The possibility cannot be ruled out that AAP may go for early municipal corporation polls. 

BJP’s delay may harm its future prospects in Punjab 
BJP has not performed better than expectations in recently held assembly elections in Punjab. On the other hand, the party has performed well in other states. There is a general feeling that delay in taking decision to strengthen the organisation may upset the prospects of the future especially in the coming municipal corporation elections in Punjab. Similarly, parliament elections are due in 2024. Thus, there it is need of the hour that the party should strengthen its organisational structure with experienced and seasoned political leaders to bring back the past glory in Punjab.

SAD (B) on wait and watch policy 
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) is still on wait and watch policy after the crushing defeat of its senior icons in the Punjab assembly elections. After the break down of the alliance with BJP it is for the first time that the SAD(B) senior leaders such as Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikramjit Singh Majithia lost the elections. But, HOW this party will perform during municipal corporation elections cannot be predicted at this moment. There still exists a question that whether the SAD (B) will go for an alliance again or prefer to contest independently.     

Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru,
Senior Journalist,
Jalandhar City.