How Did the Akali Dal Chief View the Party's Performance in the Tarn Taran Bypoll?
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Synopsis
Despite a setback in the bye-election, SAD's Sukhbir Singh Badal claims a significant moral victory against anti-Akali forces. Discover his insights on the political landscape as Punjab gears up for the 2027 Assembly polls.
Key Takeaways
- SAD's performance viewed as a moral victory
- Criticism of state machinery by Badal
- Importance of the 2027 Assembly polls
- Opposition parties' alleged conspiracies
- Voter turnout and election dynamics
Chandigarh, Nov 14 (NationPress) In light of the recent electoral defeat, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), characterized his party's showing in the Tarn Taran Vidhan Sabha bye-election as a powerful moral blow to the coalition of anti-Akali, anti-Punjab, and anti-Panthic factions. He criticized the misuse of governmental resources by stating his sarcastic congratulations to the Punjab DGP and his team for their alleged partisanship during the election.
Badal stated, "I commend DGP Gaurav Yadav along with his associates including P.K. Sinha, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Harmanbir Singh, and the SSPs from various districts for ensuring the victory of the Punjab Police candidate Harmeet Sandhu in the bypoll."
Addressing his political rivals, Badal remarked, "Over the last decade, the Congress, AAP, and the BJP, along with so-called Panthic groups, have done nothing for Khalsa Panth and Punjab but engage in a well-funded smear campaign against the SAD to mislead the public and diminish their regional voice."
He asserted that the contest in Tarn Taran was a struggle between the Punjab and Panth, represented by the SAD, against the might of the state and its police, along with their collaborators.
Badal noted, "Even their covert collaborations and vote exchange strategies couldn't halt the Akali and Panthic resurgence." He pointed out that those who spread malicious propaganda against the SAD struggled to retain their security deposits, while the Congress and BJP completely lost theirs.
He emphasized that the Khalsa Panth has finally recognized and unmasked those who attempted to exploit the sacred Sri Akal Takht Sahib for their agendas.
"The Panth and Punjab have demonstrated to these nefarious conspirators their rightful place and delivered a resounding verdict against these forces supported by governmental and other anti-Panthic elements," he concluded.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Assembly polls, AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu successfully maintained the party's hold on the Tarn Taran seat, overcoming his closest competitor, Sukhwinder Kaur of SAD, by over 12,000 votes.
This bypoll was a significant challenge for the Chief Minister and the AAP, which has secured victories in five out of six bypolls since its inception in March 2022.
Independent candidate Mandeep Singh Khalsa, affiliated with radical Sikh factions, positioned third, while Congress candidate Karanbir Singh Burj finished fourth.
AAP's Sandhu garnered 42,649 votes, leading by a margin of 12,091. SAD's Kaur followed with 30,558 votes, Khalsa received 19,620 votes, Congress's Karanbir Singh had 15,078 votes, and BJP's Harjit Singh Sandhu only managed 6,239 votes.
Point of View
It is critical to acknowledge the sentiments expressed by Sukhbir Singh Badal regarding the recent Tarn Taran bye-election. His remarks highlight the ongoing political tensions in Punjab, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of regional dynamics as we approach future elections.
NationPress
14/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the Tarn Taran bye-election?
AAP's Harmeet Singh Sandhu won the bye-election, defeating SAD's Sukhwinder Kaur by over 12,000 votes.
How did Sukhbir Singh Badal react to the election results?
Badal described the performance of SAD in the bye-election as a 'resounding success' and a moral victory against anti-Akali forces.
What are the implications for the 2027 Assembly elections?
The recent bye-election results may shape political strategies and alliances as parties prepare for the upcoming 2027 Assembly elections.
Who were the main candidates in the bye-election?
The main candidates were AAP's Harmeet Singh Sandhu and SAD's Sukhwinder Kaur, with independent Mandeep Singh Khalsa also in the race.
What did Badal say about the opposition parties?
Badal criticized Congress, AAP, and BJP for failing to support Khalsa Panth and accused them of running a smear campaign against SAD.
