Low turnout in Sangrur bypoll to blame for poll loss, says AAP’s Malvinder Singh Kang

Chandigarh, June 26

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday said the party’s defeat in the Sangrur bypoll was contrary to their expectations, but they accepted the mandate.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP’s state chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang congratulated SAD (A) candidate Simranjit Singh Mann on his victory and said AAP nominee Gurmail Singh had lost a “very tough contest”.

Kang said the party was taking the result “very seriously” and that the leadership would review it. He cited low turnout as a major reason for the defeat. He said lakhs of people did not cast their vote amid the ongoing paddy season and hot weather.

Kang said the AAP’s vote share in this election had only reduced by 2% compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. On the contrary, Akali, Congress and BJP candidates had failed to secure their security deposits, he said.

Kang said the AAP got over 34% votes, while the BJP secured only 9%, Congress 11% and the Akali Dal 6%. The Congress’ vote share was 27% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, while that of Akali Dal was 24%, indicating people were no longer with traditional parties.

“We will continue to work for the welfare of people. The party has seen many such defeats in the past. We will learn from this election result and work more industriously for the welfare of people. We will come back strongly,” added the AAP spokesperson.