Voting kicked off on Wednesday morning across four Assembly constituencies in Punjab, marking a high-stakes triangular contest among the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and BJP.
The bypolls come after these seats were vacated following their representatives’ election to the Lok Sabha earlier this year.
The constituencies in focus are Gidderbaha, Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal (SC-reserved).
A total of 45 candidates, including three women, are contesting, with over 6.96 lakh eligible voters casting their ballots across 831 polling stations.
Voting will continue until 6 PM, with results to be declared on 23 November.
The four seats, previously held by Congress and AAP, have shifted into the limelight with significant political stakes.
Gidderbaha, a seat with historical ties to the Akali Dal, has seen a fierce competition between Manpreet Singh Badal of BJP, Congress’ Amrita Warring, and AAP’s Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon.
Notably, Dhillon, once aligned with the Akalis, joined AAP earlier this year, citing the need for development in the region.
Similarly, the fight in Dera Baba Nanak is drawing attention as Congress’ Jatinder Kaur, AAP’s Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, and BJP’s Ravikaran Singh Kahlon square off.
Chabbewal, a reserved seat, has its own intensity, with AAP’s Ishank Kumar, son of MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal, vying against Congress’ Ranjit Kumar and BJP’s Sohan Singh Thandal.
Punjab Police have deployed 6,481 personnel and 17 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across the constituencies to ensure smooth conduct.
Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C emphasized the importance of free and fair elections, urging voters to participate without fear or coercion.
Nearly 3,868 polling staff are overseeing the process, while tight surveillance measures are in place to maintain order.
The bypolls also reflect shifting political allegiances. For example, Gidderbaha’s Dimpy Dhillon, formerly a trusted aide of Akali leader Sukhbir Badal, joined AAP in August.
Meanwhile, BJP has fielded seasoned politician Manpreet Singh Badal, aiming to leverage his influence as a former finance minister.
In Chabbewal, BJP’s Sohan Singh Thandal, an Akali Dal defector, faces a tough battle against new-generation leaders like AAP’s Ishank Kumar.
Punjab’s legislative Assembly currently comprises 117 members, with AAP holding a dominant majority of 90 seats.
Congress stands as the primary opposition with 13 members, followed by Shiromani Akali Dal (3), BJP (2), BSP (1), and three Independents.
AAP’s sweeping victory in 2022 under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann significantly altered the state’s political landscape.
These bypolls will serve as a litmus test for the party’s continuing appeal and the opposition’s ability to regain lost ground.
As voters head to the booths, the outcomes of these contests will likely influence Punjab’s political trajectory ahead of the next general elections.
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