By SATINDER BAINS
CHANDIGARH: The election scenario in Delhi is as tricky for BJP as it was in Punjab in 2017 assembly elections. It would not be hypothetical to say Congress may emerge a dark horse in the Delhi assembly elections, if experience of 2017 Punjab elections is repeated in Delhi to keep AAP out of power.
The Congress had won the Punjab elections in 2017 and Capt Amarinder Singh became the Chief Minister due to an 'overnight' strategy chalked out by BJP to stop AAP in Punjab. The Congress victory had surprised the people of state and stunned the AAP leadership who were expecting an easy victory over Congress and SAD-BJP alliance.
The 2017 assembly elections had witnessed a collective offensive by Congress, SAD and BJP against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. He was linked to Khalistani elements and a day before voting a bomb blast hit the Maur Mandi killing four persons, creating panic of revival of Khalistan movement. The mystery of Maur blast remained unsolved even after eight years. The incident of Arvind Kejriwal staying at a rented residence of former Khalistani leader and Maur blast were seen as a larger conspiracy and this was attributed as key reasons for defeat of AAP by stake holders. During 2017 elections large number of NRIs from USA and Canada had arrived in Punjab to support AAP.
The 2017 elections happened when the people of Punjab were largely fed up with drug menace, corruption and high crime rate during the rule of both Congress and SAD-BJP alliance governments of the past. People of Punjab had high hopes from AAP. It is a different story that AAP got the power in 2022 and miserable failed to live up to expectations of people.2. Punjab is perhaps now witnessing worst phase of governance of all times.
AAP's rise and fall
The 2017 elections happened when the people of Punjab were largely fed up with drug menace, corruption and high crime rate during the rule of both Congress and SAD-BJP alliance governments of the past. People of Punjab had high hopes from AAP. It is a different story that AAP got the power in 2022 and miserable failed to live up to expectations of people.2. Punjab is perhaps now witnessing worst phase of governance of all times.
The political observers had seen AAP emerging third political alternative in the border state owing to high anti-incumbency against SAD-BJP government led by Parkash Singh Badal and sustained anger against previous government of Capt Amarinder Singh. The Congress and SAD-BJP alliance were taking turns to rule for over 20 years. The mafia rule had flourished in Punjab during the regime of Parkash Singh Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh.
It is alleged and largely believed that BJP-SAD had made a secret pact with Capt Amarinder Singh to stop AAP from forming government in Punjab. BJP had got intelligence reports of AAP winning the elections. The reports from inside RSS and BJP sources and chain of events that followed made it clear that RSS-BJP-SAD combine overnight changed the strategy and hardcore voters of these parties voted for Congress. Capt Amarinder Singh later faced allegations of hobnobbing with BJP and taking command from Union home minister Amit Shah. He had finally joined BJP.
BJP is now facing herculean task to defeat AAP in the national capital. BJP is at the receiving end ever after AAP routed it and formed first coalition government in Delhi in 2013. AAP gave repeated blows to BJP and returned to power with absolute majority in 2015 and 2020. This time it is do or die battle for BJP and perhaps last chance to throw AAP out of power.
Now in 2025, the stakes are too high for BJP and it may not afford to see AAP returning to power once more. In case BJP realises they are not in position to defeat AAP, the experience of Punjab would remain only alternative before party high command. Can RSS-BJP take the call in such an eventuality? It would keep fingers crossed.