Punjab election: Congress underestimated the Shiromani Akali Dal

NEW DELHI: That the Congress underestimated the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the run-up to the Punjab polls became obvious when its leaders described the success of the party, led by the father-son duo of Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir, as a surprise. For the first time since 1966 — when Punjab was created — an incumbent government has retained power.

Without acknowledging that the party had been lulled into a false sense of security by statistics that suggested it was near impossible for the SAD to retain power, Congress leaders like Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Tuesday sought refuge in the company of scribes who seemed equally bent on writing off the Akalis.

Congress's edge was more out of anti-incumbency on paper than on the ground. Sukhbir proved to be the game-changer, having put his political career on the line by dragging the Akalis out of their Panthic past.Under Sukhbir, the Akalis elbowed the Congress out of the space for centrist politics. He played the lead role in keeping issues like greater autonomy and the 1984 riots out of the agenda.

He is also responsible for the unprecedented decision by the SAD to give tickets to 14 Hindu candidates. Many interpreted this move as Sukhbir's attempt to tap the BJP's core constituency. Now, that the SAD has single-handedly come close to the magic figure of 59, his ploy has clearly worked.

The BJP performance has been a real surprise as many thought the party would prove to be the Achilles' heel for the SAD and prevent it from forming government. It has managed to hold on to 12 of the 19 seats it won last time and, at least for the time being, remains an important ally.