Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann once again stirred political debate in the state by claiming that in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections, the BJP would win 1-2 seats in Pathankot district, Congress would secure up to nine seats, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would draw a blank.
Mann’s statement, along with a signed note handed to the interviewer during a session hosted by a private media house on Monday evening, was not based on the science of psephology but rather appeared to be a strong pitch for Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the urban civic polls being held on Tuesday.
Voting for the polls is currently underway, and results for these “mini elections” will be declared on Friday.
Mann has not campaigned for AAP’s 1,801 candidates in the fray, though his mother did campaign for some candidates.
However, by projecting AAP as the sole political force to reckon with, the Punjab CM has attempted to boost confidence among party cadres, who are dealing with a resurgence of Opposition parties, particularly the Congress and BJP, both of which are competing with AAP for a major share of urban votes.
His “hallasheri,” as Opposition leaders have described his election predictions, is aimed at addressing public unease over law-and-order concerns and governance challenges.
The civic polls are being viewed as a barometer of public sentiment, especially in urban areas where anti-incumbency is considered deeper than in rural regions.
By giving Congress the highest seat projection among Opposition parties, Mann has effectively signalled that he views it as the main challenger, while remaining dismissive of SAD.
His claim that the BJP’s influence would be limited to Pathankot reflects the political reality that the party is still working to build a statewide grassroots organisation, despite making gains through defections and Central Government outreach.
