After ruling in Punjab for almost over 22 years, Shiromani Akali Dal is now all set to fight for its own status. It was a major defeat in ’17 when they had just won 13 seats and even couldn’t constitutionly stand up as ‘opposition’.
But as the saying goes ‘New election, New strategies’. After cutting the lotus from the tree, this election Sukhbir Badal decides to ride an elephant. The Badal family centered Akali group doesn’t want to take any risk this time as once again Senior Badal i.e. Prakash Singh Badal at the age of 94 is in the political ground. Even after being relegated to its worst tally of Vidhan Sabha in 2017, party once again has laid its bets on 42 candidates who had lost in the last Assembly Elections, including 18 who had finished third in their respective constituencies
The Group which was earlier in limelight because of its unique welfare schemes such as Aata Dal Scheme, Neele Cards, Shagun Scheme, are now making headlines with Sukhbir’s funny speeches on water buses, ships in lakes or hotels in islands. Party leaders are tagged with accusations of various scams be it those of transport or Drug Mafia.
Amidst Elections, fielding Majithia in the Amritsar East against Sidhu does the party want to show that it has decided to give an apt reply to each and every question now? Or is the party forgetting the basic level in hunt of rivalry?
Would the party sustain its voters bank without BJP or will the alliance with BSP make an impact as Congress has already played a card over Dalit CM face? Senior leaders like Dhindsa have already left in the past and joined hands with BJP. Situations are typical and challenges tougher!
Now the future will tell if the “ Veer Sukhbir” makes a comeback, rising over all the questions and winning the hearts of Punjabis or not!
Report and Graphics by Sourav Kansal
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