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Congress Suffers Setback in Punjab Assembly Byelections, AAP Dominates

In a significant blow to the Congress party, the results of the Punjab Assembly byelections held on November 20, 2024, showed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerging victorious in three out of four constituencies. These constituencies—Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal—were previously strongholds of Congress, having been won by the party in the 2022 Assembly elections.

However, Congress managed to secure a win in Barnala, a seat traditionally considered an AAP bastion, where Kuldeep Singh Dhillon of Congress defeated AAP’s Harinder Singh Dhaliwal by a margin of 2,157 votes.

Key Election Results:

  • Gidderbaha: AAP’s Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon defeated Congress’s Amrita Warring, wife of Congress State President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, by a margin of 21,969 votes.
  • Dera Baba Nanak: AAP’s Gurdeep Singh Randhawa triumphed over Jatinder Kaur, wife of Congress’s Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Randhawa, by a margin of 5,699 votes.
  • Chabbewal: AAP’s Ishank Kumar led Congress’s Ranjit Kumar by 3,308 votes after the second round of counting.

The Congress defeat in these constituencies is being viewed as a major embarrassment, especially considering the high-profile candidacies of the spouses of senior Congress leaders in Gidderbaha and Dera Baba Nanak.

AAP’s Strong Performance:

The victory in Chabbewal, Gidderbaha, and Dera Baba Nanak solidifies AAP’s dominance in Punjab, extending its influence and further eroding Congress’s base in the state. The party’s success in these areas was seen as a clear rejection of Congress in areas where it had previously enjoyed significant support.

The Barnala Exception:

While AAP lost Barnala, a seat considered its own, Congress’s Kuldeep Singh Dhillon managed to turn the tables, defeating AAP’s Harinder Singh Dhaliwal in what seemed to be a narrow but significant victory for Congress in an otherwise tough contest.

The Political Implications:

  • Congress will need to analyze its performance, especially the losses in constituencies held by senior party leaders. The results reflect a possible shift in voter sentiment and point towards AAP’s rising influence in Punjab.
  • AAP’s success is a clear indication of the party’s growing clout in the region, bolstered by strong leadership and voter support.
  • The defeat in Gidderbaha and Dera Baba Nanak, with high-profile candidates involved, also raises questions about Congress’s internal dynamics and leadership challenges.

the byelections serve as a significant political barometer in Punjab, with AAP gaining momentum and Congress left grappling with a serious electoral setback. The defeat of Congress’s prominent candidates in traditional strongholds suggests a political realignment that could shape future elections in the state.

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