Punjab Assembly polls: Youth 'disgruntlement' with SAD, Congress likely to give AAP edge

Aam Aadmi Party seems to have created a buzz across Punjab ahead of the assembly elections with many voters, especially the youth, believing Arvind Kejriwal's "Delhi model" can help turn around the state after decades of poor governance.

In cities and villages across Punjab, one comes across the same set of woes - unemployment, youth moving abroad or to other states in search of jobs, a growing menace of drugs (chitta, phooki, and liquor) afflicting the youth, and empty promises made by previous governments that failed to deliver.

All this has set off a clamour for "badlaav" (change), especially among the youth, in both rural and urban areas.


I won't be surprised if AAP wins all the seats in Patiala," said Rinku Garg, a local in Rajpura assembly constituency. Some old men that ET spoke with said the youth and women - perhaps under the influence of their grown-up kids - in their homes do not listen to their advice to stick to Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal.

The rising popularity of AAP is more due to the perception that Kejriwal has done a good job as Delhi chief minister than its candidates, people said.

"AAP was elected twice in Delhi. There must be something special in the party and Kejriwal to win two terms," said a restaurant owner in Patiala who did not want to be named. "His government has done well in education and health."

Several people feel that both SAD and Congress have been tried in many elections and there is a need to give AAP a chance.




Punjab has usually voted out the incumbent, with 2012 being a rare exception when SAD got a consecutive second term.

Former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who recently floated Punjab Lok Congress, appears to have lost his popularity. Some observers even expressed doubts about him winning his Patiala Urban seat.

Singh is blamed for not taking effective steps to curb drugs. "He took oath under Gutka Sahib to end drugs but did nothing. That finished him off," said a local youth in Dhuri.

However, Congress seems to have gained some ground after Singh's exit under new chief minister Charanjeet Singh Channi.

"He has halved our power bills," a shop owner in Samana seat in Patiala said about Channi who his party's chief ministerial face in the elections being held on Sunday. "I used to pay '5,000 per month. This time I paid only '2,100," the person said.

Some of the sitting Congress MLAs are also popular, while some others are facing strong anti-incumbency.

In Sangrur district, Congress candidate and minister Vijay Inder Singla is praised for his work but is facing a tough challenge from BJP and AAP. BJP candidate Arvind Khanna is a Congress turncoat, which some observers said may help the AAP candidate win.

People in rural areas of Patiala, Sangrur, Roopnagar and Jalandhar said at least one youth in every family has moved abroad or to other states in search of jobs.

Many voters see a ray of hope in AAP. Kejriwal's party is expected to sweep Malwa which has 69 of the 117 seats in Punjab. If it does well in Majha (25 seats) and Doaba (23 seats) regions of Punjab as well, then it may be able to cross the majority mark.