Chandigarh, December 24
The Election Commission has put Punjab polls on a fast-forward mode by announcing January 30 as the date of polling. Though both the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the main opposition Congress have welcomed the announcement, the polls were widely expected to be held in mid- February.

In a statement issued here, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said, "Everything has gone as we wished. I am really happy and thrilled as if this was my first election. The political atmosphere in the state today indicates that this will be the biggest victory of my career for SAD and BJP".

Reacting to the announcement, former Chief Minister and PPCC President, Capt. Amarinder Singh said, "The sooner the better". Expressing confidence that he will romp home, Amarinder said there was a lot of enthusiasm and excitement among the party cadres and they were prepared for the battle.

Their claims notwithstanding, the elections are not going to be a cakewalk for any political party. While the Congress hopes to cash in on the anti-incumbency factor against the government, the ruling SAD-BJP combine is banking on anti-UPA sentiments prevailing at the national level to sail through for another term. Punjab has a dubious record of never repeating a government.

Corruption is likely to remain a central issue in these polls. While the Congress would attempt to target corruption by Badals, the Shiromani Akali Da would hope to use Anna Hazare's anti corruption movement to pin Amarinder and his party.

With the delimitation and the emergence of Manpreet Badal's Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP), political equations have slightly changed in the state.

But the main contest remains between the SAD and the Congress. The recent defections of some of the founder members of the PPP to the Congress, has queered the pitch for Manpreet and the outcome will decide his political future.

Stakes are equally high for Sukhbir Badal and Amarinder Singh. Their political fortunes will depend on the electoral performance of their respective parties. While SAD is once again banking on the charisma of the party's grand old man, Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir is the man who is working overtime to turn the tide in the party's favour. A victory would ensure his elevation to the Chief Minister's office in times to come. A defeat would, however, put a question mark on his being the undisputed leader of the party.

SAD has taken a lead in announcing the 48 candidates for the polls and if Congress leaders are to be believed, their first list would be out by Dec 28. The early elections, with a short period of campaigning, may prove to be a boon in disguise for both the Congress and the SAD, as defectors (those denied party tickets) may not have too much time for party hopping. The last date of nominations and withdrawals are Jan 12 and Jan 16, leaving less than two weeks for campaigning.

The short period for campaigning would implicitly also mean a less expensive election, as both the SAD and the Congress were expected to pump in a lot of money.