In a significant setback for the Congress party, it lost the Jalandhar parliamentary seat in a by-election prompted by the unfortunate demise of party MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary. The victory was claimed by Sushil Kumar Rinku, a former Congress MLA who had recently joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and he secured a decisive margin of over 58,000 votes.The AAP leadership was determined to secure a win in Jalandhar, especially after suffering a defeat in the Sangrur by-election just three months earlier. This loss came as a surprise for AAP, as they had achieved a sweeping victory in the assembly elections the previous year.
Traditionally, the Jalandhar seat had remained with the Congress, with the party losing it only four times in the past five decades. These defeats occurred in 1977, 1989, 1996, and 1998 when the entire opposition was united and there was a strong anti-Congress wave. The loss of this seat to AAP marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Jalandhar.
What further adds to the shock for the Congress party is the outcome of the 2022 assembly elections. Despite a strong wave in favor of AAP sweeping across the state, the Congress managed to win five out of the nine assembly segments in Jalandhar. This was attributed to the caste factor associated with the then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who belongs to the Ad-dharmi/Ravidasia/Ramdasia community, which has a sizable population in Jalandhar. Channi’s popularity and support from the community played a crucial role in the Congress’ success in the assembly elections.
However, in the recent by-election, AAP emerged victorious in seven out of the nine assembly segments, further highlighting their growing influence in the region. This shift in voter preferences indicates a change in political dynamics and reflects the changing aspirations of the electorate in Jalandhar.
The loss of the Jalandhar parliamentary seat and the diminishing support for the Congress party in the region signify a need for introspection and a reassessment of their political strategies. The AAP’s success can be attributed to their effective campaign strategies, the induction of prominent local leaders like Sushil Kumar Rinku, and the ability to tap into the aspirations and concerns of the electorate.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, both the Congress party and AAP will need to adapt to the changing dynamics and focus on connecting with the voters to secure their support. The loss in Jalandhar serves as a wake-up call for the Congress party, while it provides a significant boost for AAP, strengthening their position in Punjab politics.