CHANDIGARH : The defeat of Congress party in five states has put the Punjab Congress under tremendous pressure as the party is preparing for the 2017 assembly elections. The faction ridden Congress party is trying hard to emerge from ashes after its defeat in two successive elections in 2007 and 2012. Capt Amarinder Singh who holds the command of party in Punjab however lives on hopes to regain party’s lost glory.
The defeat of Congress party may be of political significance for opposition parties mainly the BJP at center but it is not good news for the Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) ruling alliance partner of BJP in Punjab. Punjab is set to witness triangular contests between SAD-BJP alliance, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, a potential threat to both the traditional parties. A weaker Congress is likely to upset the poll strategy of SAD which is facing strong anti-incumbency factor. The Akali leaders hoped to divide anti-votes between Congress and AAP. The weakening of Congress would mean a stronger AAP base. AAP has made inroads in Punjab as Congress was missing from the scene for the last five years.
The political observes feel that main contest in 2017 assembly elections would be between SAD-BJP and AAP. The AAP has given a hope of good governance to the people of Punjab who are frustrated from the present regime. Punjab has become a play ground and safe sanctuary for the criminals and mushrooming of mafias has ruined the social and economic fabric. The ruling party leaders are accused of protecting drug mafia and
gangs of criminals. The recent spate of murders and robberies in the state has threw law and order into the wind. The prevailing circumstances seemed worked to the advantage of AAP and people sas a ray of hope.
Congress has gone on ‘political ventilator’ and people of Punjab have understood that only Aam Aadmi Party could bring solutions of all their problems, created by Badals, AAP leaders Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Bhagwant Mann MP said.