Snatching Defeat from Victory - Congress does it again

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party, AAP has swept the Assembly elections in Punjab, winning an unprecedented three fourth majority in the 117 member house. The Congress, ruling the state for the last five years, has not been able to reach even the 20 mark. It was clear for some time that the Congress was in for a tough time in Punjab. Signals from the state were indicating that the people were looking for change and new beginnings.
When I visited my village in Nawanshahar or SBS Nagar district, as it is called after Shaheed Bhagat Singh now, the signs of the revolution in the making were apparent. The Doaba region of Punjab has traditionally favoured the Congress in past elections. But this time, the people whom I came into contact with  told me that the voters were looking for a change from the Congress versus Akali Dal scenario.
The irony is that just six to nine months back, the Congress was riding high. The AAP as well as the Shiromani Akali Dal appeared to be nowhere in the picture. This was apparent from their lack lustre performance in the local bodies and Panchayat elections. The rural folks were alienated from the Akali Dal because of their long association with the BJP. Ultimately, to protect their base, the Akali Dal had no option but to walk out of the National Democratic Alliance.
Kejriwal’s AAP was in no better shape. After losing to the Congress in 2017, its local leaders had left the party one by one. The party was left with no effective leadership. But then came the infighting in the Punjab Congress, which resulted in Captain Amarinder Singh’s ouster as Chief Minister and ultimately his decision to form a separate outfit.The Aam Aadmi Party played its cards well, seeking to project a fresh approach to solve the problems faced by the people of the state.The Congress top leadership failed to bring the state unit to order, with the result that infighting continued right till the polling on February 20.The outcome of the elections poses a further challenge to the Congress. It will have to rediscover itself in the opposition space to retain whatever is left of its political space. Otherwise, it may become a non-entity in Punjab, just like its position in the national capital, Delhi.
The Akali Dal will also have to do some soul searching to reinvent itself. Otherwise, it may become even more redundant in Punjab’s political geography. The AAP government will have to deliver on its promises and deliver fast to retain its clout in the state. Another test would be coming for the party in the Lok Sabha elections due in about two years.

(Writer is a senior poitical analyst)