Punjab Election 2017 results surprise all parties, AAP fights Akalis for second position

The AAP, which fought its first assembly elections in Punjab, was at third place with 22 seats.

The AAP can decipher results in two ways. First it is an achievement that the party managed to win 24 seats in its first election while faced with the formidable challengers such as SAD-BJP and the Congress. Secondly it needs to realize that it has to build a strong cadre on the ground, learn to quiet the internal fighting, and grow beyond the image of an anti-corruption crusader. The party every time can’t ride on Kejriwal popularity and needs to promote more regional leaders. AAP mostly relied on its Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, who doesn’t enjoy a good image among urban voters and women.

Outcome of the Punjab elections showed that SAD continues to enjoy support among the rural population of Punjab, where people have benefited from its schemes in past 10 years. The panthic (Sikh sect) voters appeared to have rallied behind the SAD. Before elections, SAD leaders were accused of corruption and nepotism. SAD-BJP alliance had expected that the strong anti-incumbency against them would reduce them to 10-15 seats.

 Similarly, the Congress, which was at third position before the polls, was also surprised with the early trends. Its own leaders had expected a tough fight with AAP and gave the latter around 40 seats. The Congress had expected that the AAP would get lion share of anti-incumbency votes and it would hurt its chances in the elections.