Punjab byelections

THE Punjab byelections saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) winning three seats — Gidderbaha, Chabbewal and Dera Baba Nanak — while losing Barnala to the Congress. The results are as much about the ruling party’s victories as the Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) decision to stay away from the poll fray since the shift of Akali votes to AAP played a decisive role. This shift wasn’t necessarily a vote for AAP, but a tactical alignment against the Congress.

For the Congress, retaining Barnala offers a faint silver lining in an otherwise disappointing performance. Kuldeep Singh Dhillon’s victory highlights the party’s ability to capitalise on internal discontent within AAP, amplified by rebel candidates splitting votes. However, the loss in Gidderbaha — despite intense campaigning by state chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring for his wife, Amrita Warring, the Congress candidate — underscores deeper issues of leadership disconnect and ineffective voter engagement. This setback is particularly damaging as Warring’s singular focus on Gidderbaha came at the expense of other constituencies, further diminishing the party’s overall appeal across Punjab. The BJP, meanwhile, remains an outsider in Punjab’s rural political landscape, unable to overcome the damage caused by the farm laws.

These results come against the backdrop of AAP appointing Aman Arora as its state president, signalling a shift towards consolidating urban and Hindu votes. However, the ruling AAP, facing a midterm reality check, must tread carefully. Issues like drug abuse, economic instability and agricultural distress remain critical and mere electoral wins cannot substitute for policy solutions. The bypoll outcomes offer lessons not only in electoral strategy but also in the pressing need for a governance model that addresses systemic challenges and resonates with the state’s aspirations.