Jalandhar, Punjab (May 17, 2014): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has triggered a surprising start in Punjab. AAP, that failed to open it’s account in Lok Sabha elections in rest of India, secured 4 seats in Punjab with 24.5% vote share in the state.
There was no Modi-wave in Punjab, rather Punjab witnessed an AAP-wave in Punjab, that was not merely confined to anti-incumbency factor. In essence, support in favor of Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab was more motivated by the idea of “chance to change the system”.
AAP-move in Punjab is also authenticated by the fact that many loosing candidates of AAP, such as Advocate Himmat Singh Shergill (Anandpur Sahib), H. S. Phoolka (Ludhaina), Jyoti Mann (Jalandhar) and Yamini Gomar (Hoshairpur) bagged considerable votes.
The available data shows that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has eaten up the vote-bank of both ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the opposition Congress party to a large extent. It has also sweeped the vote-bank of small parties in Punjab, such as SAD (Maan) and BSP.
Data shows that Congress has lost 12.23% vote share in these elections as compared to previous Lok Sabha elections. In 2009 the Congress party had secured 45.23% votes but in 2014 the party has shrinked to 33% only.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) had secured 33.85% votes in 2009. This party was able to secure only 26.4% votes in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
With surprising début in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has emerged as third party/ alternative in Punjab; however it is to be seen if the party would be able retain the response. Another issue that if the AAP would be able to give a leadership that could take stand on long pending and serious issues and questions concerning the Punjab.