As Punjab’s four assembly seats — Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, and Gidderbaha — prepare for the November 20 by-elections, the political battlefield is set to ignite. Next week, major party leaders are expected to storm the campaign grounds, intensifying an already-heated race as they rally support, stake claims, and press home their agendas. With the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress mobilizing, this fierce contest will determine the future of these strategic constituencies.
BJP Heavyweights Leading Campaign
For the BJP, Gujarat’s former Chief Minister and Punjab BJP in-charge Vijay Rupani has already arrived to coordinate efforts, meeting with local leaders to shape strategies. Over the next three days, he will traverse these constituencies to energize the saffron brigade.
Additionally, the BJP’s list of 40-star campaigners is poised to launch rallies across these battlegrounds. Senior BJP figure and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, who has been actively campaigning in Gidderbaha and soon to be in Barnala, brings clout to the campaign, leveraging BJP’s recent 18 percent vote share in Lok Sabha elections to boost confidence. With the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) absent from the race this time, the BJP eyes the SAD’s voter base, hoping to capitalize on a voter base formerly aligned with its 10-year alliance with SAD until 2017.
Among BJP’s prominent candidates, former Finance Minister and five-time MLA Manpreet Singh Badal is running in Gidderbaha, with senior leaders like Avinash Rai Khanna and Dyal Singh Sodhi overseeing the campaign in this constituency. Besides, former Congress MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon is contesting from Barnala assembly seat; former Akali leader Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon is vying for Dera Baba Nanak seat, and former Akali Minister Sohan Sisngh Thandal from Chabbewal. BJP’s emphasis on experienced leaders signaled its strategic investment in these elections as a test of its expanding presence in Punjab.
AAP’s Full-Court Press Led by Mann, Kejriwal
The ruling AAP, meanwhile, has also entered the fray with its signature vigour. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been holding rallies across all constituencies, reaching out to constituents with promises of sustained development under AAP’s Government. AAP’s national convenor and Delhi’s former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to join from November 9. Kejriwal’s schedule includes campaigning in Chabbewal and Dera Baba Nanak on November 9, followed by Gidderbaha and Barnala the next day, further underscoring AAP’s commitment to securing a stronghold in these areas.
Mann and Kejriwal aim to showcase the achievements of AAP’s government over the past two and a half years, reinforcing AAP's popularity and appealing directly to voters with promises of continued development. This byelection is significant for AAP as it could consolidate their political standing, particularly since these by-elections have symbolic importance for the ruling government in Punjab. AAP has already placed constituency managers and Ministers on the ground, ensuring that its campaign is visible and consistent across all regions.
Congress Focuses on Local Groundwork
On the Congress front, local leaders are leading efforts with the support of the newly-formed strategic planning committee, coordinated by senior leader Pratap Singh Bajwa. The leader of the opposition in Vidhan Sabha, Bajwa has taken up a pivotal role as the committee’s coordinator, alongside seven other senior leaders. Congress, in contrast to BJP’s reliance on high-profile figures, has adopted a grassroots approach, focusing on strengthening its appeal among local voters. The party has established a committee of senior leaders to oversee campaign activities, banking on strong community ties and grassroots mobilization to sway voters. The grand old party has emphasized grassroots outreach over national influence, aiming to rally local support and target undecided voters, especially in rural areas. Though lacking the media-heavy presence of other parties, Congress is methodically building its base, highlighting its commitment to addressing local concerns.
SAD’s Absence Shapes the Race
While the Akali Dal has opted out of the race, its legacy remains a critical factor in shaping voter sentiment. In fact, its decision to abstain from these by-elections has reshaped the competition. Having governed Punjab in alliance with the BJP from 2007 to 2017, SAD’s withdrawal from these by-elections opens a vacuum — providing an opening for other parties to attract its loyal voter base. SAD’s absence could potentially fragment its traditional voter base, offering an opportunity for BJP to consolidate support. Although many SAD leaders and supporters reportedly desire a renewed alliance with the BJP, this election is an opportunity for the BJP to gauge the strength of its independent appeal in SAD’s stronghold regions.
Additionally, the lack of SAD representation could influence how Sikh voters, particularly those who align with the party’s panthic (religious) values, participate in this election. With campaigns in full swing, voters can anticipate an action-packed final stretch as party leaders rally on ground, making pledges and firing up supporters. As Punjab’s four constituencies brace for the election day, the stakes are higher than ever.
