Even though there is still a year left for the assembly elections in Punjab, political heat is already visible there. The political stir in Punjab has intensified due to a statement by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. Sukhbir claimed that Punjab Assembly elections will be held much before the scheduled time in October-November.
Akali leader Sukhbir Badal said that the Government of India will conduct the census in January and February and before that the process of assembly elections of the states has to be completed, hence he has information that assembly elections will be held in Punjab by October-November. However, his claim has been criticized by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and the state Finance Minister who also called him a spokesperson of BJP.
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema hit back
On this entire matter, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that Sukhbir is now acting as if he has become the spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Whatever Bharatiya Janata Party says, Sukhbir Badal says the same thing. Sukhbir would know when the Election Commission is going to conduct elections in Punjab. When does Modi Saheb want to hold elections?
He said that the Punjab government will complete its tenure. The AAP government was formed in the state in March 2022. And we believe that elections should be held as per schedule and the Punjab government will complete its full term.
Parties busy in preparations before the elections
Assembly elections are going to be held in Punjab next year and the political atmosphere in the state is gradually starting to heat up. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is once again preparing to reach out to the public with its development and anti-corruption agenda, while the Congress is cornering the government on issues like law and order, unemployment and rising debt.
At the same time, Shiromani Akali Dal is also trying to strengthen its hold in rural areas and is presenting itself as the regional voice of Punjab. On the other hand, BJP is busy expanding its organization in the state and preparing the electoral ground through new faces.
The local body elections to be held in Punjab and the intensifying political rhetoric are being considered as the semi-finals of the assembly elections. The opposition is continuously alleging that the state government is misusing the administrative machinery, while the AAP is calling these allegations politically motivated.
Political experts believe that this time the contest for the 117-seat Punjab Assembly elections will not be easy. There may be a tough competition between many parties. Congress is also preparing to enter the field with full preparation. However, the drug problem is being considered as the biggest problem by the political parties in the state elections. Apart from this, issues like farmers, youth, and the economic condition of the state are likely to remain at the center of the election debate.
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