Punjab votes: Calls, feedback & prayers, leaders on edge

GS Paul

Amritsar, February 19

On the election eve on Saturday, most leaders remained indoors, collecting information from campaign managers, attending innumerable calls and making desperate efforts to plug “loopholes”.

At Pradesh Congress chief Navjot Sidhu’s residence, there was a stream of visitors throughout the day.

Sidhu talked about his ‘Punjab Model’ animatedly. “I will fight for Punjab till the very end. As the state party chief, I will ensure that the road map to Punjab’s prosperity is implemented,” he was heard telling a group of youngsters, who looked impressed.

Observers say though the Congress graph has dived, the ‘united’ show put up by its leaders during the last leg of campaigning could help the party bounce back, with Sidhu vowing not to leave Punjab in the lurch to return to the entertainment industry.

Anticipating ‘good results’ Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders chose to keep it low key. Raghav Chadha visited a temple to seek Almighty’s blessings. Most BJP leaders were confident of performing well, arguing that the voters would choose a party they thought would ensure a “secure future” for their children.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has clearly opted for a “Punjab and Panth versus outsider” narrative. It believes polarisation of votes will help the party recover lost ground in the Malwa belt. It has been harping on its “past performance” to woo voters, reiterating its commitment to the rural economy.