 "Anger against SAD favoured AAP in Punjab: Dharamvira Gandhi")
AAP candidate Gandhi who defeated Union minister Preneet Kaur from Patiala today said growing anger against the ruling SAD on various fronts and disillusionment with Congress had gone in favour of the fledgling outfit.
Aam Aadmi Party, which emerged as a giant killer in Punjab, won four of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
"The Akalis came to power for the second time in a row in 2012 Assembly polls. But it turned into the rule of mafia. The drug menace among youths also assumed alarming proportion," Gandhi, who defeated the three-time MP, said.
"Secondly, Congress, a party with 48 members in the in the State Assembly... Did not show any seriousness to confront the Akalis in the Assembly, neither they had the will nor the spirit to fight," he claimed.
Besides, Congress was plagued by infighting and had no time to think about people's problems, Gandhi said.
He said the Punjabis voted for AAP to give the party a chance as they were fed up with the mainstream parties.
When asked what was the clinching factor which went in his favour, he said, "I had a very tough fight. Preneet Kaur has a royal background, many people thought that I may cut her votes, but they had this perception that she will never be defeated."
"However, I knew the people's pulse, I had criss-crossed my constituency and visited nearly 800 villages and apprised the voters about my and my party's agenda," he said.
The AAP won Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Sangrur Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.
Aam Aadmi Party, which emerged as a giant killer in Punjab, won four of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
"The Akalis came to power for the second time in a row in 2012 Assembly polls. But it turned into the rule of mafia. The drug menace among youths also assumed alarming proportion," Gandhi, who defeated the three-time MP, said.
Also Read
He said there was anger among the masses against the Akalis and they wanted to teach them a lesson.
"Secondly, Congress, a party with 48 members in the in the State Assembly... Did not show any seriousness to confront the Akalis in the Assembly, neither they had the will nor the spirit to fight," he claimed.
Besides, Congress was plagued by infighting and had no time to think about people's problems, Gandhi said.
He said the Punjabis voted for AAP to give the party a chance as they were fed up with the mainstream parties.
When asked what was the clinching factor which went in his favour, he said, "I had a very tough fight. Preneet Kaur has a royal background, many people thought that I may cut her votes, but they had this perception that she will never be defeated."
"However, I knew the people's pulse, I had criss-crossed my constituency and visited nearly 800 villages and apprised the voters about my and my party's agenda," he said.
The AAP won Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Sangrur Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%