Aam Aadmi Party all set to sweep Punjab- Read key reasons for AAP’s rise in border state

AAP's poll agenda focused on issues like unemployment, the drug menace, and a promise of a corruption-free government. The party was banking on voters to see their Delhi-model of governance.

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took a big lead in Punjab and is ahead in 84 seats out of 117, according to early trends, with several heavyweights, including Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, trailing behind its nominees in many seats.

The current CM of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi was trailing in both Chamakur Sahib and Bhadaur seats as of 10 am. 

The initial trends hint that the state is heading towards change in government. Even the Exit Polls predicted a clear majority for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the border state. Currently, the ruling Congress seems to be far behind the AAP with a lead in 13 seats.

Here are reasons for AAP's rise in Punjab:

Free electricity and water: 

Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has emerged as a major contender in the border state and the promise of free electricity to people of Punjab played an important role in the rise of the party. Various exit polls have predicted that the AAP will form the next government in Punjab and the initial trends are proving them right. AAP’s promise to give free water supply to people of the border state also acted as one of the crucial factors in its soon-to-be landmark victory. 

Reform in school education: 

The wind behind AAP’s popularity is believed to be the 'Delhi Model of governance’. Punjab’s audience has started considering the AAP as an alternative to the traditional rivals - the Congress and the SAD. AAP, through his work in the national capital, has proved that it upholds their promises. Earlier, while campaigning in the state, Kejriwal expressed disappointment about the situation of government schools and teachers in Punjab and made eight guarantees about the same. These eight guarantees include creating a Delhi-like environment in the education sector in Punjab, regularising outsourcing and contract teachers, implementing a transparent transfer policy, banning non-teaching work from teachers, permanent recruitment on vacant posts, sending teachers abroad for training, bringing in a transparent policy for new promotions and providing cashless medical facilities for teachers and their family members.

Anti-incumbency: 

The Congress government, like the previous governments in Punjab, failed to resolve the problem of unemployment, and hence the anti-incumbency factor in the state played an important role in AAP's rise in the border state. It is believed that even the infighting in Punjab Congress has benefitted AAP in this assembly elections. The slugfest between the top leaders in Congress in the state has had a negative impact on its vote share.

Corruption: 

Aam Aadmi Party’s 10-point poll agenda for the border state focused on the promise of creating a corruption-free government, which is one of the most pressing issues in the state. AAP also promised strict punishment in sacrilege cases. “You have a chance in these elections to elect a party with clean intentions. AAP is the only honest alternative to the corrupt governments given by Congress and BJP alternately over the past 21 years,” the AAP supremo Kejriwal had said while campaigning in the state. 

Farmers' protest: 

AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal’s regular visits to the protest sites, especially in the national capital, in solidarity with the protesting farmers, has proved to have benefitted the party in the assembly elections. The farmers' protest against the three farm laws passed by the BJP government at the centre was a major deciding factor. 

The voting for assembly elections in Punjab took place on February 20 in a single phase. The election results will be declared on March 10.