In a major embarrassment for two-time Punjab Chief Minister and Congress rebel Capt Amarinder Singh in a fag-end of his political career, he faced a humiliating defeat from AAP’s greenhorn Ajit Pal Kohli with over 13,000 votes on Thursday from his stronghold Patiala, the seat that he has won for four consecutive terms since 2002 when he first contested. He is seen as a nationalist, and widely respected leader of the BJP-led alliance.
In the Congress-ruled state, Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP is heading for a landslide win, with the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP far behind. Capt Amarinder Singh left the Congress just ahead of the polls after the Congress unceremoniously removed him from the helm and he floated his own party.
Capt Amarinder Singh said people of Punjab had understood the importance of a “double-engine” government in Punjab which will watch and safeguard the national interest and help in reviving Punjab’s economy. A day ahead of the counting of votes, Capt Amarinder Singh exuded full confidence, saying he expected positive verdict by the people of Punjab in favour of his party Punjab Lok Congress and the alliance partners, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal-Samyukt.
