How the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept to power in Punjab by winning 92 seats in the 117-member state legislative assembly on March 10 is a very interesting political development in India. BJP winning absolute majority in UP, Uttarkhand, Goa and Manipur were all interesting to follow too, but the AAP element of surprise in the Punjab election results sets it apart from the rest. The dismal performance of the Congress party in the five states that went to polls could be sounding the death knell for the grand old party of India. Rahul Gandhi and company, try as they may, are slowly losing relevance as they are being routed out in almost every part of the country. From where it is today, and judging by the numbers, the Congress might never be able to recoup its past glory.
Coming back to Punjab, where the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal are deeply rooted, how AAP managed to secure 92 seats needs to be analyzed by all. Interestingly, even the incumbent Chief Minister lost the election in both seats that he contested from, something that is never likely to happen in Nagaland. From winning 20 seats in its first foray in 2017 to raking in 92 seats in 2022, AAP has scripted history in Punjab that will inspire many across the country.
Youth and women overwhelmingly voted for AAP. Misgovernance and corruption during the previous regimes and the people’s desire for change, a desire to break the status quo they found themselves living in for more than 70 years, were the main factors that favored AAP. Sure, there are electoral dynamics unique to every state but the people, in general, want the best for themselves and the APP was able to present itself as the alternative.