The results of the assembly elections across five states are out. Barring Punjab, the opposition has been completely decimated as BJP has passed with flying colours. Meanwhile, Congress is staring down the barrel of a bleak future once again. Punjab, which was supposed to be its big bastion has fallen to a sophomore in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Rise of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the fall of Congress
The Arvind Kejriwal led party is leading in over 90 seats according to the Election Commission website, at the time of going to print. However, Congress is only leading on 18 which is a stark letdown from the 77 it won in 2017. The reason is clear. The combination of Farm laws and Khalistan has led to the demise of Congress.
The Arhatiyas in Punjab sought AAP as the better alternative to tackle the Modi government. During the anti-Farm law protests, Congress remained timid while AAP batted on the front foot and endorsed the Arhatiyas and their ambitions.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) batted on the front foot against farm laws
The Delhi government welcomed the ‘protesting farmers’ as their “guests” and made elaborate arrangements for their food, drinking water, as well as their shelter.
Recently, murmurs have been increasing that the Modi government through backdoors may bring the Farm laws yet again after the elections, especially after seeing the thumping majority it received from farmers in Western UP. Thus, naturally, the middlemen gravitated towards Kejriwal and voted him to power to keep BJP in check.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) open batted for Khalistan
Moreover, unlike Congress, AAP and Kejriwal have openly championed the Khalistan cause. It is pertinent to note that there is a considerable faction of Khalistan feelers within Congress but owing to the party’s national image, they never displayed their true affection outside. However, AAP and its national convenor harboured dreams of becoming PM of Khalistan one day went to houses of Khalistan sympathizers and refused to dub Bhindranwale a terrorist.
As a result, Kejriwal’s words stuck with the Khalistan allies, and they voted en masse for him. By reviving the Khalistan cause and merging it with Farm laws, Kejriwal created his magical winning combination and routed Congress out of the state.