Campaigning for the November 20 Punjab Assembly bypolls ended on a high note as political heavyweights, including AAP, Congress, and BJP, on Monday made last-ditch efforts to mobilize voters across the four contested seats of Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), and Barnala. The bypolls, necessitated by the election of sitting MLAs to the Lok Sabha earlier this year, will see a triangular contest, with SAD’s absence, that promises to reshape political equations in Punjab.
Three of the four constituencies — Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal — were Congress bastions, while Barnala was held by the ruling AAP. This election holds significance as it pits dynastic politics, turncoats, and established faces against each other, testing the sway of regional and national parties over Punjab’s electorate.
Key Contests and Prominent Candidates
In Gidderbaha, Congress’ Amrita Warring – wife of Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring – is locked in a high-stakes battle against BJP’s Manpreet Singh Badal – a seasoned politician hailing from Badal family who has held portfolios in both Congress and Akali-BJP governments and had been five-time MLAs, and AAP’s Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon – a former Akali leader. The constituency saw star-studded roadshows, with Warring joined by Balkaur Singh, father of slain singer Sidhu Moosewala; and AAP leaders led by Ministers Aman Arora and Gurmeet Singh Khuddian.
Dera Baba Nanak is witnessing a clash between Jatinder Kaur – wife of former Deputy Chief Minister and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, AAP’s Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, and BJP’s Ravikaran Singh Kahlon. Jatinder, banking on her husband’s legacy, faces stiff competition as both AAP and BJP aim to capitalize on anti-incumbency against the Congress.
In Chabbewal, an SC-reserved constituency, AAP’s Ishank Kumar Chabbewal – son of Hoshiarpur MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal – is vying against Congress’ Ranjit Kumar – a BSP turncoat, and BJP’s Sohan Singh Thandal, a late entrant and former SAD Minister who joined the BJP days before filing his nomination.
Barnala, meanwhile, is set for a three-way contest between AAP’s Harinder Singh Dhaliwal, Congress’ Kuldeep Singh Dhillon, and BJP’s Kewal Singh Dhillon — all aiming to claim this strategically vital seat.
Campaign Dynamics
The bypoll campaign saw aggressive narratives from all parties. AAP focused on showcasing its governance record under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, highlighting achievements such as free electricity, ‘Aam Aadmi Clinics’, 48,000 merit-based government jobs, among others. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal lent star power, addressing rallies across the four constituencies and urging voters to trust AAP’s governance model.
The Congress, riding high after securing seven of Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha seats earlier this year, directed its attack at AAP over alleged deteriorating law and order, unfulfilled promises, and the lingering drug menace. Party stalwarts, including former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, amplified these concerns during extensive campaigns.
For the BJP, the bypolls signify an opportunity to consolidate its presence in Punjab. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and Gujarat’s former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani led the charge — criticizing AAP’s handling of paddy procurement and law enforcement. BJP, with its state president Sunil Jakhar remaining conspicuously absent, also relied on its recent recruits, all turncoats, to establish credibility in constituencies where its traditional influence has been limited.
Familial Ties and Turncoats Dominate Candidatures
The elections reflect Punjab’s enduring reliance on political dynasties and the resurgence of turncoats. Congress’ Amrita Warring and Jatinder Kaur represent prominent political families, while AAP fielded Ishank Chabbewal, son of a sitting MP, and candidates with past affiliations to other parties. Notably, all four BJP nominees are former members of rival parties, underscoring its strategic bet on fresh faces with proven electoral traction.
SAD’s Absence and Its Implications
For the first time in 32 years, the Akali Dal is abstaining from the elections, citing the Akal Takht’s reprimand over past governance errors and its president Sukhbir Badal declared “tankhaiya”. This withdrawal marked a significant shift in Punjab’s political landscape, traditionally dominated by SAD-Congress rivalries, and could open opportunities for other players to fill the void in rural constituencies. In the Congress stronghold of Dera Baba Nanak, SAD’s strategic move to throw its full support behind AAP candidate has significantly intensified the contest, raising the stakes for all contenders.
The Stakes and Road Ahead
The bypolls, with 6.96 lakh eligible voters across 831 polling stations, will determine the political trajectory of Punjab ahead of future electoral battles. AAP, currently enjoying a formidable majority with 91 of 117 Assembly seats, sought to reaffirm its dominance. Meanwhile, Congress aimed at capitalizing on public discontent, and the BJP is eager to stake a claim as a serious contender in Punjab politics.
As Punjab awaits the results on November 23, the bypolls promise not just to decide the fate of 45 candidates but also to reshape alliances and strategies for upcoming electoral contests in the politically dynamic state.
