AAP unlikely to repeat 2014 show, but may play spoiler

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 19

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is unlikely to repeat its feat of winning four seats in the state, but it may cause a dent in the fortune of other candidates in some of the key constituencies.

The party seems to have a chance of re-winning the Sangrur seat only if the crowd gathering around party president and incumbent MP Bhagwant Mann translates into votes. On the remaining 12 seats, party candidates have not been able to create much following. Even party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s campaigning and roadshows did not attract much crowd. However, as the state craves for a strong third front, some of AAP candidates may cause a dent in the fortune of other candidates. In Gurdaspur, the direct battle is between film actor and BJP candidate Sunny Deol and state Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, while AAP candidate Peter Masih is largely banking on rural and Christian vote bank.

In Bathinda, AAP candidate Dr Baljinder Kaur and Punjab Democratic Alliance candidate Sukhpal Singh Khaira may determine the winner by cutting into the vote banks of SAD’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring of the Congress. In Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Anandpur Sahib and Patiala seats, AAP or its rebel leaders may still affect in the similar way.