Edited by : Sandeep Dhand
Ludhiana/Chandigarh
24 January 2024
In a surprising turn of events, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced today that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will go solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, severing ties with the Congress party. Speaking to reporters after a Punjab Cabinet meeting, Mann emphatically stated that there will be no political alliance between AAP and Congress in the state.
Asserting confidence in AAP’s electoral prospects, Mann declared that the party aims to win all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab independently. He revealed that AAP is currently deliberating on potential candidates for these seats, with a list of 40 contenders already prepared for 12 parliamentary constituencies, excluding Jalandhar.
In a unique approach, AAP plans to conduct a public survey to gauge popular opinion on the potential candidates before finalizing its roster. Mann confirmed the fixed candidacy of Sushil Kumar Rinku from Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency.
While the India alliance at the national level sees Congress and AAP contesting elections jointly, the scenario in Punjab unfolds differently. Both parties, emphasizing their provincial leadership, appear steadfast in their decision to go solo in the elections. The announcement from AAP comes amid a backdrop of political maneuvering and mutual claims of being well-positioned to contest the elections alone.
On January 22, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized AAP’s commitment to a politics free from caste and religious considerations. He reiterated the party’s dedication to treating people of all religions equally, taking a swipe at Shiromani Akali Dal leaders for alleged opportunistic posturing. Mann dismissed the association of political election symbols with religion, particularly in the context of the recently held Pran Pratistha event in Ayodhya.
Simultaneously, the Congress party in Punjab has initiated its election activities independently, with Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Waring leading the election committee. The divergence in strategies between the two parties in Punjab marks a departure from the collaborative approach seen at the national level within the India alliance.
As the political landscape in Punjab undergoes dynamic shifts, the electorate awaits further developments and the unveiling of party strategies in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The declaration of AAP’s independent stance sets the stage for a compelling electoral contest, with both parties vying for dominance in the state.