Punjab Election Result 2017 highlights: Amarinder meets Governor, oath-taking ceremony on 16 March

Amarinder Singh says his govt will form ‘Special Task Force’ to curb the drug menace

Amarinder Singh asserted that his government will form a ‘Special Task Force’ to curb the drug menace in Punjab, while making the state more investor-friendly. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him full cooperation for the development of the state.

On the vexed issue of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Amarinder said it was important to see the quantum of water available with Punjab. “When Punjab does not have enough water, the question of giving it to other states does not arise,” he said. He said Punjab has 60 percent of agrarian land with just eight MAF (million acre-feet) water, while Haryana with 40 percent of agriculture land has 12 MAF water. The Congress’ chief ministerial candidate said he was committed to fulfill all the promises made by the party in its election manifesto.

Read the full PTI report here .

Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir promise to be a part of a ‘responsible opposition’

Parkash Singh Badal resigns

Outgoing chief minister Parkash Singh Badal met Governor VP Singh Badnore earlier today and tendered his resignation. The 89-year-old leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won from Lambi, but his party fared poorly winning just 15 seats while SAD’s alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won just three seats at the end of counting of votes on 11 march. SAD, however, was the second most popular party in terms of votes receiving 25.2% of the total vote share.

Two Congress workers killed in clash with SAD | India Today

With the results being declared, the knives are out in Punjab. According to India Today, two Congress workers were killed in the state during a violent clash with Shiromani Akali Dal workers in Mansa.

Earlier today, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh said that his party won’t indulge in vendetta politics. Will this event change his party’s stand?

Amarinder Singh promises Congress won’t engage in ‘vendetta politics’

“On the first cabinet meeting, we will bring those issues which have no monetary involvement,” said Amarinder Singh.

“We will liberalise industrial policy,” he further said.

“The prime minister assured me of all support on the financial front…I have asked the prime minister for debt waiver. We will also reform Punjab police,” said the Congress’ chief ministerial candidate.

“I spoke to Priyanka Gandhi and told her we’ll bounce back in UP,” he also said.

“There will be no vendetta politics, no victimisation. There is a Constitution and law. You can’t just break all that,” Singh said, when asked about what action he’ll take against people from the SAD-BJP alliance facing allegations of promoting drug trade.

“Punjab’s security lies in the security of ties with our neighbours,” he also said.

It’s official: Congress gets 2/3rd majority, wins 77 seats, 38.5% vote share

The Election Commission announced the final results of the Punjab Assembly Election with Congress winning 77 seats. According to Amarinder Singh, this is one of the best performance of the party in the state.

Punjab has given two bonus seats on my birthday: Captain Amarinder Singh | CNN-News18

“The people of Punjab have given me two bonus seats on my 75th birthday”

People have voted for stability: Captain Amarinder Singh | CNN-News18

“The people have gone for stability. There is a debt of Rs 2 lakh crore, our budget is in deficit, jobs are not there and education is in shambles,” he said adding that people have voted against all that.

Singh also said that he will get rid of synthetic drugs known as chitta from the state in one month. “Everybody is growing bhang, but the killer here is chitta. I have promised to finish it in four weeks. And we are going to do that. We don’t believe in catching people and shoving them in jails. If anything comes out during the investigation we will take legal action them,” he said.

AAP was hyped too much: Captain Amarinder Singh | CNN-News18

Speaking to the TV channel, Captain Amarinder Singh said that AAP was too much hyped. “When they were saying that they are going to sweep Malwa. Even I started wondering how are they going to win Malwa, which has been our own bastion for so many years. But when I started going around, I realised that people liked us,” Singh said.

Clarifying on his allegations of AAP promoting fringe elements in the state, Singh once again said that lot of people who joined AAP have some sort of grudge against the country. “There are people who think differently who curse Congress, and talk about 1984. They (AAP) were collecting individuals who had a grouse against the country and not just Punjab,” he said.

Singh also rubbished claims of AAP emerging as a national party. He said the party’s true colours have come out. " I don’t think anything is going to happen for them in 2019," he added.

Expected to win 66-plus seats: Captain Amarinder Singh | CNN-News18

“I expected 66 plus or minus seat, but we have gotten way above our expectations. In fact, our poll strategist Prashant Kishor has said that if the bubble of AAP burst we will cross 70, but else it will be somewhere around 66.”

Party? What party? Where is the party?

All this talk of this party, that party is really giving me an appetite. Pity it had to be a dry day. I think I will pick up some good stuff from the Congress headquarters at the Chowk. And have it on the rocks!

Modi thanks people of Punjab for 10 years support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday thanked the people of Punjab for giving SAD-BJP combine the opportunity to serve for 10 years and “for the support we got in these polls.”

Congress wins 73 seats so far, counting in progress in three

At 5.30 pm, the tally of seats stood at 74 for Congress with leading in three, 20 for AAP and 18 for SAD-BJP. The Lok Insaf Party won two seats.

Rahul Gandhi thanks Punjab for support | ANI

Voting share in Punjab (till 4 pm)

Bikram Singh Majithia wins from Majitha

Akali candidate Bikram Singh Majithia won from the Majitha seat by defeating his nearest rival, Congress candidate Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lally, by 22,884 votes.

Majithia, brother-in-law of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal polled 65,803 votes while Lally got 42,919 votes.

AAP candidate Himmat Singh Shergill managed to secure 10,252 votes. — PTI

Congress crosses majority mark, wins 61 seats so far

The Indian National Congress has emerged as the single largest party in Punjab winning 61 seats till 3.15 pm and leading in 17 other seats. Congress has contested the election with Captain Amarinder Singh as the chief ministerial candidate. Singh won the Patiala seat with a large majority will be the next remember.

Results were declared on 98 seats with counting in progress in 19 seats. As per the Election Commission, at 3.15 pm, the tally in Punjab stood at 61 wins for Congress, 19 wins for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 13 for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), three for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and two wins for Lok Insaf Party.

Congress was leading in 17 seats followed by AAP and SAD, each leading in one seat.

Captain Amarinder Singh: Lone star in Congress’s falling ship

In the massive shipwreck that the political fortunes of the Congress party have faced in the past few years, the only name to bob up and stay afloat on the political waters is that of Captain Amarinder Singh.

He was the lone star that the Congress could flaunt among its slim victory numbers in the 2014 general elections when he had defeated BJP bigwig Arun Jaitley in a one-sided battle in Amritsar constituency.

And today, he is the lone star in leading the party to victory in a state at a time when Congress has almost vanished from the entire country. It’s befitting that on the day he turns 75, he is getting the gift of a state that he has nurtured politically during the stormiest times in the history of the Congress party.

Read the full article here .

Congress inches closer to majority with 57 wins, leads in 22 seats

Riding on the anger against the Badals and the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) alliance, the Indian National Congress has won 57 seats (at 3 pm), just two seats away from the 59- seat mark that is required to prove majority in Punjab Assembly. Captain Amarinder Singh seems to have flinched success for the national party in Punjab which went for polling along with four other states in February and March this year.

Key constituencies where high-profile candidates battled in Punjab

Of the 117 constituencies which underwent polling in Punjab, several saw close fights between high profile candidates whether it was Bhagwant Mann vs Sukhbir Singh Badal in Jalalabad or Captain Amarinder Singh vs Parkash Singh Badal in Lambi. Click here to read our list of key constituencies in Punjab.

AAP’s HS Phoolka wins Dakha seat | Election Commission

Harvinder Singh Phoolka of Aam Aadmi Party has won the Dakha seat by 4169 seats. He beat Manpreet Singh Ayali by 4169 seats.

No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play everybody: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Narendra Modi congratulates Captain Amarinder Singh

Trajectory of leads from 8.30 am to 2 pm

We accept people’s mandate: Arvind Kejriwal

​This is Arvind Kejriwal’s first tweet since this day began.

AAP defeat in Punjab tragic: Yogendra Yadav

Congress should focus on regional leaders

Left to him, Rahul Gandhi would have actually ensured the Congress doesn’t win Punjab. With his half-baked ideas about leaders, organisation and cadre, he had sidelined Captain Amarinder Singh and given the party’s reins to politicians whose only claim to fame was their access to the Congress vice-president’s drawing room.

Just a year before the elections, the Congress seemed to be in complete disarray. Factionalism was rampant as several leaders were unhappy with its state chief Pratap Singh Bajwa. Hurt by the treatment meted out to him, Captain was sulking, giving indications that he may either form a new party or become silent in elections. Taking advantage of the confusion with the Congress, the AAP appeared to be on the surge.

Read the full article here .

Punjab CM ready to resign

Parkash Singh Badal is going to resign tomorrow. It reminds me of the time I resigned from my old job after throwing a stone through the shopfront window. Okay, so there was some broken glass, some injury-shinjury etc. But I resigned. I did the right thing.

Congress leading in 78 seats: News18

If Congress actually wins 78 seats in Punjab, it will have 2/3rd majority in the state Assembly. Even other reports are saying that Congress is leading in almost 78 seats.

Having said that, AAP+ is now leading in more seats than the SAD-BJP alliance. Even though the exit polls were horribly wrong about a close Congress-AAP contest in the state, this is still a decent show from AAP, considering this was they were participating in Punjab polls for the first time.

Paresh Rawal ‘congratulates’ Congress

Actor and BJP MP Paresh Rawal congratulated Congress in his own unique way.

We will discuss the reasons for our loss: CM Parkash Singh Badal

Sometimes, just sometimes, party workers show you how to party.

AAP bubble has burst: Congress

Tables turned for Dr Raj Kumar and Sohan Singh Thandal

In Chabbewal constituency, Dr Raj Kumar of the Indian National Congress finally had his revenge on SAD leader and Minister for Jails and Tourism Sohan Singh Thandal. Kumar beat Thandal by a massive 29,261 votes. Thandal is four-time MLA from the area and is considered close to outgoing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Talking of incumbency, Thandal may just have the worst of it. Interestingly, he had beaten Kumar by 6,246 votes in 2012 Assembly Election.

Seats won so far

Congress: 9
AAP: 3
SAD-BJP: 0

Trends so far

News18

Congress: 75
AAP+: 24
SAD-BJP: 18

Times Now

Congress: 72
AAP+: 27
SAD-BJP: 17

India Today TV

Congress: 74
AAP+: 24
SAD-BJP: 17

NDTV

Congress: 75
AAP+: 25
SAD-BJP: 17

Congress is in the spirit of this nation: Randeep Surjewala

Sukhpal Singh Khaira of AAP won the Bholath seat by 8202 seats. Khaira beat SAD leader Yuvraj Bhupinder Singh. Yuvraj is the son-in-law of Bibi Jagir Kaur.

Some candidates who have won so far

Kanwar Pal Singh of Congress won Anandpur Sahib seat by 23,881 seats. Pirmal Singh Dahula of Aam Aadmi Party won the Bahadur seat. He beat Shiromani Akali Dal’s Sant Balvir Singh Ghunas by 20,784 votes.

Time to bring back the heydays of Punjab: Amarinder Singh

Amarinder Singh thanks people, says they knew that AAP had no leadership

“This is because of all the party workers and their hard work,” said Congress’ chief ministerial candidate Amarinder Singh. “I thank the people of Punjab.”

“I was saying from the beginning that Punjab’s voters are smart. They knew that AAP did not have leadership. I’ve been in politics for 48 years,” he said.

Watch flamboyant Navjot Singh Sidhu’s dramatic speech here:

How everyone predicted the Punjab election results wrong

Clearly, everyone underestimated the strength of the Akali Dal on the ground and overestimated the popularity of AAP. The former was undoubtedly helming a very unpopular government and many felt it deserved punishment. But few captured the fact it had a solid voter base and couldn’t go down too far even in the worst circumstance. Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP was expected to mop up the anti-incumbency votes and notch up close to 60 seats. Its popularity showed in its rallies, particularly in the Malwa region which accounts for 69 of the state’s 117 Assembly seats.

The big development in this election, however, is the Congress’s victory. It has been so rare in recent times that every victory for the party merits a thorough analysis. It had a good campaigning strategy to begin with. Its people connect programmes – Coffee with Captain and the Punjab da Captain – supported by efficient groundwork exuded purpose. In comparison, that of the AAP was more boisterous but less organised. The Congress has the advantage of projecting a credible leader in the form of Amarinder Singh.

Read the full article here .

This is the revival of Congress: Navjot Singh Sidhu

“The final innings of Rahul_ji_, Sonia_ji_ and Amarinder_ji_ worked,” said Navjot Singh Sidhu as Congress is set to win in Punjab.

“Dharma has won today. Everytime evil takes over somewhere, God teaches arrogant people a lesson,” he said. “The two arrogant leaders of the Akali Dal have been taught a lesson.”

“Rumours on social media started by trolls have not worked. The trolls have been defeated,” Sidhu said.

“This is the revival of the Congress. It is just the beginning. Take energy from Punjab and spread,” said the Congress, who was once in BJP. “We have to fight for Punjab now instead of giving in to joy,” he said.

Lok Insaaf Party leading in two seats

In Ludhiana South, Balvinder Singh Bains of the LIP is ahead of Congress’ Bhupinder Singh Sidhu by 1,036 votes. In Atam Nagar, Simarjeet Singh Bains is ahead of Congress’ Kamal Jit Singh Karwal by 2,095 votes.

Sukhbir Singh Badal leading in Jalalabad

It seems Bhagwant Mann’s wit and jokes did not work in Jalalabad as he is trailing in the constituency by 9,314 votes.

Meanwhile, HS Phoolka is leading in Dakha by 1,828 votes, according to the Election Commission.

Strategy needs to shift from criticism to positive alternate: Omar Abdullah

Among the seats in which Congress is ahead included Amritsar Central, Tarn Taran, Khadoor Sahib, Jalandhar West (R), Chabbewal (R), Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Dharamkot, Baluana (Reserve), Gidderbaha, Faridkot, Rajpura and Patiala seats.

Congress, which has been out of power in Punjab for past ten years, is seeking to wrest power from the ruling SAD-BJP combine.

AAP was ahead in Bathinda Urban, Mansa, Bhadaur (R) and Mehal Kalan (R) seats.

From Gidderbaha, All-India Youth Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was leading. In the Majithia seat, SAD’s Bikram Singh Majithia was leading.

Congress’ Manpreet Badal was trailing AAP candidate Deepak Bansal from Bathinda Urban as per initial trends.

Congress leader Sunil Jakhar was trailing BJP’s Arun Narang by a margin of 1487 votes from Abohar segment.

Congress Navjot Singh Sidhu was leading over AAP candidate by a margin of 2691 votes from Amritsar-East segment. — PTI

Bikram Singh Majithia leading from Majitha

Congress set for landslide victory in Punjab

Congress: 67

SAD-BJP: 27

AAP+: 23

Political analysts are saying that Captain Amarinder Singh’s magic worked while AAP needs to realise that mere antics do not translate into votes.

Punjab Congress vice-president trailing

Congress workers begin celebrations

Navjot Singh Sidhu leading in Amritsar East by 6,135 votes: Election Commission

AAP’s dream crash-lands in Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party’s big political dream appears to have crash-landed in Punjab. The Badals were unpopular alright but everyone underestimated their core strength: rural support. Now, Arvind Kejriwal will have a a lot of free time to ponder over what went wrong. The sweep they were expected to have in certain pockets has not happened.

The crowd their party’s rallies attracted proved to be deceptive – they were planning to vote for the Congress while enjoying the antics of Bhagwant Mann and speeches of Kejriwal himself. Lessons for Kejriwal: Choose candidates with care and crowds do not mean votes.

“So-called nationalist BJP is being kicked out (of Punjab),” Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar told CNN-News18.

Happy wala birthday, Amarinder paaji

Stone-cold victory for Congress in Punjab means birthday party-sharty will be even better. Now where’s that invitation?

News18 calls Punjab, says Congress will win

Congress is now leading in 61 seats in Punjab. While the exit polls had predicted a massive defeat for SAD-BJP, the alliance is actually leading in 30 seats in the state. AAP got the most disappointing numbers are they are third, leading in 23 seats.

Captain magic working?

Captain Amarinder Singh seems to have rejuvenated a moribund Congress which is building up quite a lead over Aam Aadmi Party at this stage. Pollsters had predicted a dead heat between Aam Aadmi Party and Congress in the border state and some exit polls had projected Arvind Kejriwal to be winning a comfortable majority. Belying the nationwide decline of the grand old party, the Captain, who had called this campaign his ’last throw of the dice’, seems to have breathed new life into Congress. The fact that he wasn’t on party vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s good books would reinforce the narrative though that much of the problem with Congress lies at the top.

Congress now leading in 54 seats

Here are the trends so far:

Congress: 54

AAP+: 21

SAD-BJP: 26

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is ahead of his nearest Congress rival Captain Amarinder Singh by a margin of 1,245 votes in the Lambi seat. In Bhadaur (Reserve) Assembly segment, the AAP’s Pirmal Singh Tohra has taken an early lead.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia is ahead in Majitha seat by a margin of 1,126 votes over his nearest Congress rival. — PTI

Trends so far

AAP+: 20

Congress: 41

SAD-BJP: 15

Party-wise vote share so far

Trends so far according to reports

News18:

AAP+: 10

Congress: 23

SAD-BJP: 10

Times Now:

AAP+: 13

Congress: 25

SAD-BJP: 8

India Today TV:

AAP+: 11

Congress: 16

SAD-BJP: 6

NDTV:

AAP+: 16

Congress: 38

SAD-BJP: 9

Perhaps Amarinder Singh shouldn’t have taken on Badal senior

Captain Amarinder Singh is trailing in Lambi. Someone should have advised Captain not to take on Badal senior on his home turf. Parkash Singh Badal has an enviable winning track record in the constituency over the last several decades. People simply adore him here. Perhaps Captain wanted to send a message: He feared none. It seems to have backfired.

Amarinder Singh leading in Patiala

Congress doing well so far, AAP has catching up to do

One hour into counting, the trend is getting clearer. Congress is doing better than what the exit polls suggested in Punjab. The Aam Aadmi Party has some catching up to do.

Exit polls suggested a tie between the two. It appears voters in the state have decided not to leave things hanging and go the Congress way. Bhagwant Mann entertained masses alright, but did not fetch the votes for his party. But it is too early for a definite call. But exit polls are accurate on one suggestion: the SAD-BJP combine is doing badly.

Trends in Punjab so far

AAP+: 6

Congress: 6

SAD-BJP: 4

Sukhbir Singh Badal trailing in Jalalabad, Navjot Singh Sidhu leading in Amritsar: Newslaundry

And suddenly more stones

Now AAP is ahead in 3 and Congress, SAD-BJP have leads in one seat each. This counting-shounting is finally picking up momentum. Good.

Congress draws first blood

He who casts the first stone… draws first blood. And the Congress is ahead in one seat.

Trends so far according to reports

News18:

AAP+: 3

Congress: 1

SAD-BJP: 1

Times Now:

AAP+: 6

Congress: 15

SAD-BJP: 2

India Today TV:

AAP+: 3

Congress: 3

SAD-BJP: 1

NDTV:

AAP+: 1

Congress: 8

SAD-BJP: 1

Not much can be concluded from the early trends

The early trends tell you nothing actually. So keep sipping the coffee or whatever beverage you have kept ready for the big day. It’s cloudy in Delhi and there’s nip in the air. Sit at home and keep watching if you are in the National Capital. Result days can be more interesting than a One Day match in cricket.

Parkash Singh Badal leading in Lambi

AAP+ leading in one constituency

Here are the leads so far:

Congress: 1

AAP+: 1

SAD-BJP: 0

This election is make-or-break for Kejriwal

Exit polls have written the obituary of ruling SAD-BJP combine in this border state. That could well be the case but early leads from 9 seats in Punjab (according to The Times of India) show Congress leading in 6 seats, SAD in 2 and favourites AAP in one seat. Arvind Kejriwal had been focusing all his energies on Punjab for the last one year and Punjab result would be a make-or-break one for him.

Congress leading in one constituency now: News18

Can’t EC keep it short?

The counting gets under way in Punjab and elsewhere. And it’s time to get excited. One must confess here that seven-phase elections and the long wait for results sap one’s energy and at the tail end of it all, excitement needs to be manufactured.

Why cannot the Election Commission cut it short? That is the question for another day. For now, let’s watch how the results unfold. It’s obvious that parties and contestants would be a jumpy lot at this point, but pollsters would be worried too. If they get it totally wrong this time, they become a laughing stock. Let’s wait for the excuses they come up with at the end of the day. They could be funny.

Punjab’s candidates are the richest

Punjab has the richest candidates but the worst education indicators, according to Indiaspend .

Narendra Modi’s first big test since demonetisation  

This is the day that’ll give us clarity on whether Narendra Modi’s political capital gained or lost on account of his disruptive policy — the demonetisation of Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes on 8 November last year. The trends seen in various surveys and certain civic poll results give us a sense that the prime minister continues to enjoy the ground support of people despite heavy criticism from many economists and political rivals on the note ban move. 

But, all of this still left room for counter arguments as well, since those outcomes did not, conclusively, offer clarity on whether demonetisation benefited the BJP, although they indeed told us that it didn’t harm the party so far. Hence, arguably, the first major test Modi will face on the note ban will be in state polls, where the public mandate will be out today. 

If the mighty Modi wave, started in 2014, is still intact and brings a landslide victory for his party in crucial states, mainly Uttar Pradesh, then these numbers will silence his rivals, who have been projecting the ‘disastrous effects’ of demonetisation on all walks of life and larger economy. The flaws in the way the note ban was implemented, prompted even former prime minister Manmohan Singh, to use phrases such as ‘mammoth tragedy’ and ‘organised loot, legalised plunder’ to describe Modi’s move. 

Almost all of his political rivals used demonetisation as a tool to attack Modi since the day it was announced. Let’s remember that demonetisation, besides being a bold, unprecedented economic policy, also carried significant weight as a big political move in Modi’s term. For the Modi government, this was also a political necessity to show the world that its stated focus on black money holders — one of its major poll promises in 2014 — hasn’t faded over time. Will Modi pass his first big demonetisation test? Exit polls indicate he will, but let’s wait for the numbers to speak.

Counting has begun in all 54 centres in the state

Counting begins

And as The Joker in The Dark Knight once said, “And here we go…”

The great battle of Lambi

The electoral tussle between Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Captain Amarinder Singh would be remembered as the great battle of Lambi. History suggests no one takes on the Badal senior on his home turf and goes back a winner. But the Congress chief has decided to take the battle right into the bastion of the aging Akali Dal war horse. Prestige is at stake for both and it remains to be seen who ends up with a bloodied nose. The AAP has fielded Jarnail Singh on the seat and he is getting some traction among people too. Let’s wait for a few hours to know who wins the battle of Lambi.

Unemployment rates for all the states

Literacy rates for all the states

Watch Firstpost Decode for cutting-edge analysis and insight:

What’s really at stake

Drugs, corruption and employment are major issues in Punjab. But what’s really at stake today is the pride of Punjab. Outsider or insider, the next chief minister must restore the state’s pride.

Or I’m going to start throwing stones.

Mann – the man of the election 2017

At a rally in Moga, AAP’s star campaigner Bhagwant Mann just could not stop throwing flying kisses at the crowd. He was unsteady on his feet and had a fall. He stood up again and got into flying kisses again for a long time. Opponents alleged he had one too many that day. He is known for his fondness for the tipple. His supporters said he had had too much work. Both could be right. But the fact remains that he has been biggest crowd puller in this election. If AAP wins, he will be the man the party would thank without reservation. He surely is relishing his new role as game changer.

Some important facts you should know about Punjab

Literacy: 76.94%

Sex ratio: 895

Infant Mortality Rate: 11

Unemployment rate: 5.8%

GSDP: 5.32% (Over the previous year)

Revenue deficit: Rs 7,983 crore

Fiscal deficit: Rs 13,087 crore (3%)

Outstanding debt: Rs 1,38,165 crore in 2016-17

Per capita income: Rs 1,14,561 (National: Rs 86,879) for FY 14-15

Will Mann be the giant-killer?

Mann is a hero in the Malwa region, which accounts for 69 seats in the 117-member assembly. Whoever grabs a majority of seats here, wins Punjab. His popularity — his satire-laced political speeches were a huge hit among voters — makes Mann an important figure in this election. That he has pitched himself against the powerful Sukhbir Badal, currently the deputy chief minister of the state, gives him a special aura. If he defeats Sukhbir in Jalalabad, he would get the giant-killer tag. Poll observers say he stands a fair chance given his popularity. For Sukhbir it would be humiliation like nothing other.

Why AAP will be the party to watch out for

AAP will be the party to keep an eye on in this election. A victory — a possibility going by exit polls — here would be the first step towards its pan-Indian expansion. From a half-state, which is Delhi, the party will shift to a state with full constitutional power. In Delhi, the party’s performance has been less than satisfactory. This could be, as the party says, due to the fact that the government does not have control over crucial spheres such as the police, land and services. Punjab would offer no such handicap. All eyes would on the quality of the ministry. This, however, will happen if the party gets the numbers to form the government. It has been called a ‘party of jokers’ by political rivals. Let’s watch whom the joke is on.

Krishan Pratap Singh is a writer and author of the Raisina Series and other political novels like Young Turks, Delhi Durbar and The War Ministry.

Time for jokes over; watch Bhagwant Mann seriously

So who will be chief minister if the Aam Aadmi Party wins in Punjab? Kejriwal, goes a joke on Twitter. On odd days, he will be chief minister of Delhi and on even days, he will rule Punjab. Says another – it came soon after Manish Sisodia said in the state that people should consider Kejriwal the CM face till elections – ‘the joke is on whom, Punjab or Delhi?’ Well, today is counting day. Time for jokes are over. If AAP wins, the man to dominate the discussion within party circles would certainly be Bhagwant Mann, who used to be a comedian earlier.

Can Bhagwant Mann lead AAP to victory?

What makes his (Bhagwant Mann’s) case interesting is he has pitched himself against Sukhbir Badal, the powerful deputy chief minister of Punjab and the heir apparent of the Badal dynasty.

If he wins, he assumes the aura of a giant killer. Given the mood of anger against the latter, poll observers say Mann could pull it off. This would make his case for the top job stronger. But he has not shown any direct interest in it so far. His lack of seriousness as a parliamentarian may work against him too.

However, one thing is sure, even without the chief minister’s job, Mann would remain a top draw in Punjab.

Read the full article here .

The significance of an AAP victory in Punjab

Even after applying statutory exit poll disclaimers, it seems fairly certain that in Punjab, AAP will either form the government on its own or fall just short — a staggeringly successful causatum for a party that was floated only in 2012. Think about it. Under less than five years of its existence, AAP now rules a quasi-state in Delhi and is poised to clinch power in a full state.

In Goa, pollsters have predicted a modest debut for AAP with somewhere between 2-4 in the 40-seat Assembly with India News-MRC being the most optimistic at 7. But even AAP may admit that it didn’t directed even a fraction of its strategic attention, human capital and resources in Goa that it did in Punjab led by a belief that amid the bipolarity of SAD-BJP and Congress, it has oodles of space to grow.

Read the full article here .

Happy birthday Amarinder Singh

Amarinder Singh turned 75 on the day when the results of Punjab Assembly elections, which witnessed an intense triangular contest, will be declared.

It remains to be seen what gift is in store for the state Congress chief, who has already announced that this was his last election.

If the Congress, which is seeking to return to power in Punjab after a hiatus of 10 years, wins, he would have two reasons to cheer.

While the Congress veteran has been spending the last few days at his residence in Chandigarh, his hectic poll campaign schedule was followed by the release of his biography — The People’s Maharaja — written by Chandigarh-based journalist Khushwant Singh.

Trends and results to be available from 8 am

According to the Election Commission of India , the trends and results will be available from 8 am.

Is it going to be AAP vs BJP at national level?

With around 10 hours left for counting to begin, and exit polls predicting Congress at the losing end (except in Punjab), some see the future of Indian election to be a battle between BJP and AAP.

Despite poor predictions, SAD-BJP confident of win | PTI

Despite the exit polls predicting a total rout for the ruling SAD-BJP alliance, which is targeting a third term in the state, 89-year-old Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal claimed the combine will win 72 seats.

Counting of votes will commence at 8 AM | PTI

Counting of votes will commence at 8 AM at 54 centres in 27 locations, an election office spokesman said here. More than 14,000 officials have been deployed at the counting centres, where tight security arrangements have been made to ensure that the exercise is completed peacefully.

Cashless funding of political parties is ultimate goal: Naseem Zaidi, CEC | PTI

Meanwhile, CEC Nasim Zaidi warns strong action for flouting Rs 2,000 cap

If elected, AAP likely to choose between HS Phoolka and Bhagwant Mann as next Punjab CM

The exit polls predicted that AAP is likely to form a government in Punjab, but unlike the Indian National Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance, AAP was the only party who hasn’t yet unveiled its chief ministerial candidate. Experts believe, if AAP does come to power, the party is likely to choose between HS Phoolka and Bhagwant Mann as Punjab’s next CM. 

Read more as to what make the two candidates suitable for the Punjab chief minister post  here .

Voters exacted revenge from the Badals

Warning signs for the ruling Akali-BJP alliance in Punjab had first surfaced in the 2014 elections with two distinct results. The first was the humiliating defeat of finance minister Arun Jaitley in the Akali bastion of Amritsar at the hands of Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh. The second was the phenomenal rise of AAP in the state’s Malwa region.

Read the full article here .

Here’s why BJP will prefer a Congress victory in Punjab

BJP leaders may have publicly rooted for a “Congress-mukt Bharat (Congress-free India)” but there is a very important reason why the party will be relieved if the Congress wins in Punjab.

If AAP wins in Punjab, it will be the only regional party in India ruling more than one state, says an article in Hindustan Times . This would mean that AAP will then a serious contender on the national political stage, something which the BJP wants to avoid at all costs.

Credit goes to Bhagwant Mann if AAP wins

Bhagwant Mann is no laughing matter. The former comedian could prove to be the joker in the pack in Punjab. If the Aam Aadmi Party wins in the state, the credit for it would go largely to Mann. He is the man who got the party the crowds and wild following, not so much Arvind Kejriwal. Whether the party would discover a serious politician in the funny guy and anoint him chief minister is a matter of conjecture though. The party has to win first.

Meet the FP Special Forces team for election analysis  here .

Final results to be declared on Saturday