Akali Dal-BJP alliance creates history in Punjab

The SAD-BJP alliance today created history in Punjab by storming back to power for a second consecutive term, breaking a 46-year-old jinx.

Bucking the anti-incumbency trend, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) won 56 seats while its alliance partner BJP got 12 seats, taking the combine's tally to 68 in the 117-member Assembly in the results declared today.

The alliance had won 69 seats in in the 2007 election. While SAD has improved its tally from 50, BJP has suffered loss of seven seats.

The Congress, which was banking on anti-incumbency factor to ride to power, won only 46 seats, only marginally higher than the 42 it got last time. Three others were won by independents.

SAD rebel Manpreet Singh Badal's PPP failed to open its account with the four-time MLA also losing from Gidderba and Maur.

An ecstatic Parkash Singh Badal, who is all set to don the Chief Minister's mantle for a record fifth time, termed it as a vote for "peace and development".

Praising his son -- Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, the 84-year-old Akali patriarch said he played a "big role" in ensuring return of SAD-BJP to power.

Sukhbir Singh told PTI, "The victory showed people's trust in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's leadership and the work done by him. He will be the Chief Minister and a final decision will be taken by the party."

It is the first time since 1966, when Haryana was carved out of Punjab, that any ruling party has returned to power.

A disappointed Congress resigned itself to yet another stint in opposition with its chief ministerial candidate Amarinder Singh saying he accepted the people's verdict and offered to quit as state PCC chief.

"I will leave it to the Congress President. If she wishes, I will step down," Singh, whose son Raninder Singh lost from Samana, told reporters.