Punjab Assembly Election Result 2022 Highlights: AAP rules Punjab's 'Mann'; Kejriwal crushes traditional parties in first state poll win

Rising from the ashes like the phoenix, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday, in a maiden emphatic win, crushed the traditional players that ruled the border state of Punjab for over seven decades with a stunning victory largely by its greenhorns on 92 of the 117 seats of the legislative assembly. Log on to deccanherald.com for more!

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Follow latest updates of the Punjab Assembly election results here!

After the historic victory of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said the oath-taking of the state's new cabinet would be held in martyr Bhagat Singh's ancestral village.

Rising from the ashes like the phoenix, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, in a maiden emphatic win, crushed the traditional players that ruled the border state of Punjab for over seven decades with its stunning victory largely by its greenhorns on 92 of the 117 seats of the legislative assembly.

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Check the constituency-wise results of Punjab Assembly elections 2022

Follow latest updates of the Punjab Assembly election results here!

Charanjit Channi: Star for 111 days, Dalit leader now back to humdrum politics

Till some months ago, Charanjit Singh Channi was just another minister in Amarinder Singh’s Congress government. And when the party decided to replace the veteran leader as the chief minister in Punjab, Channi wasn’t even on the list of obvious front-runners.

But after Congress made the surprise decision, Channi took to his new role as CM with enthusiasm, announcing sops, featuring in full-page newspaper advertisements and even participating in a game of hockey.

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Results for all seats declared in Punjab.

Check Party-wise performance, winners and losers here

Amarinder Singh: Fails big time in Punjab polls, so does party which ‘humiliated’ him

Amarinder Singh failed spectacularly in these assembly elections – his new party failed to open its account, his ally BJP fell flat and he failed to even win his own constituency.

But there might be some consolation for the former chief minister. The Congress, with which he had a bitter parting just months back, hasn’t done too well either in the state, swept by an Aam Aadmi Party wave.

The 2022 Punjab Assembly polls came as a fresh challenge for two-time chief minister, who was unseated from his post last year following a bitter power tussle with state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The 79-year-old leader said he was humiliated and warned of repercussions then.

Soon, he launched the Punjab Lok Congress, contesting the polls in alliance with the BJP, a party whose expansion in the state he had once stalled despite a Narendra Modi wave elsewhere in the Lok Sabha polls.

Once considered close to the Gandhi family, Amarinder Singh did not mince words while leaving the party, and called Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra "inexperienced".

BJP's performance in polls except in Punjab is on expected lines: Chirag Paswan

The BJP's performance in the assembly elections except in Punjab has been on expected lines with the saffron party emerging stronger while the internal bickering cost the Congress very dear in Punjab, said Chirag Paswan, Parliamentarian and president of Lok Janshakti Party (R) here on Thursday. The election results in five state assemblies indicate that the BJP is performing "practically well" except in Punjab, he said.

Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal along with Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai greet workers after party's victory in Punjab State assembly elections, at the party office in New Delhi on Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses party workers at BJP HQ in Delhi

After Punjab, AAP eyes Himachal; BJP says no scope for 'third' front

The AAP is hopeful of repeating its ‘Punjab-type’ performance in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, scheduled to be held later this year.

The ruling BJP, on the other hand, maintains that it will retain power in the hill state after its remarkable performances in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Buoyed with a landslide victory in neighbouring Punjab, Himachal Pradesh Aam Aadmi Party president Anup Kesri told PTI that the people of the state are “fed up” with the traditional political parties.

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Kejriwal is a megalomaniac: Amit Malviya

He mentioned his name 9 times in the 12 minute speech while made a passing mention of CM designate Bhagwant Mann, who was primarily responsible for AAP’s victory in Punjab. Is he already signalling to AAP MLAs that he is the super CM of Punjab? Malviya asked.

Arvind Kejriwal’s first speech after Punjab win is full of lies and deceit: Amit Malviya

He promised 500 schools in Delhi, built just one. Promises a hunger free regime, when he couldn’t deliver ration in Delhi, even during Covid. Promised to build medical colleges but hasn’t built even one!Malviya tweeted.

Aam Aadmi Party CM candidate Bhagwant Mann reaches his native place, Satoj village, in Sangrur district of Punjab.

How BJP mastered the alphabets of return to power

It is quite an alphabetical victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh.

From 'Y, R, L to M and Y', the BJP has used these issues to break all jinx and ride back to power with a more than comfortable majority for a second consecutive term.

Y, R and L, party sources claim, are the three factors that have unleashed a pro-incumbency wave in the state in favour of the BJP.

Read here

I am very happy. His father must have been happy too, to see his son becoming a Chief Minister... Earlier also he was on the right path, today also he is on the right path...: Harpal Kaur, mother of Bhagwant Mann, AAP CM candidate from Dhuri

Sukhbir Singh Badal: Finally out of his father’s shadow, but long way to go yet

This year’s Punjab Assembly polls came as a litmus test for Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal as he shouldered the responsibility of steering his 100-year-old party without the active participation of his father and party patriarch Parkash Singh Badal.

Often credited with his party’s victory in the 2012 Assembly polls, now 59, he became the youngest chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), when he was elevated to the post in 2008.

His political innings started over two decades ago when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Faridkot twice in a span of two years and served as the Union minister of state for industry in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Later, he was Punjab’s deputy chief minister.

This was his first election when he came out of the shadow of his father, who had restricted his public appearances because of his age and the Covid pandemic.

The stakes were high for the Shiromani Akali Dal and Sukhbir Badal was hoping for the revival of his party, which was relegated to the third position in the last Assembly elections, bagging just 15 of the 117 Assembly seats.

AAP sweeps Punjab with three-fourths majority

BJP's celebratory conch to resound in 2024 LS polls?

The saffron wave swept four of the five states that went to the polls earlier this year, with the BJP bagging a massive victory in Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand, and securing a comfortable majority in the Uttar Pradesh elections, albeit smaller than its 2017 mandate. General elections remain a couple of years away but the results declared on March 10 will have far-reaching consequences for national politics.

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From the first day onwards, people walked along with me and supported me: AAP's Gurmeet Singh Khudian

Congress butt of jokes on social media; Rahul, Sidhu find special mention

The Congress's rout in all the five states in the assembly polls has opened the party to memes and jokes on social media with the best being reserved for its leaders Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Singh Sidhu.

As another state went out of Congress's hand with its chief minister losing both his seats in Punjab, social media users have been relentless in their critique.

"Message is clear and loud, Congress have no other option but to dump 'Gandhi Family' and start afresh otherwise the 'Party' is over," tweeted filmmaker Manish Mundra.

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Things to know about Bhagwant Mann

It's the victory of the people of Punjab. My ticket was announced around Dec 3... Got positive indication during door-to-door campaigns that Punjab has overcome identity politics: AAP's Amritsar East candidate Jeevanjot Kaur on toppling Cong' Sidhu & SAD's Majithia from the seat

(ANI)

Could defeat in Patiala be the end of the road for Captain?

Amarinder Singh had floated his party after quitting the Congress last year owing to his unceremonious exit as the CM

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AAP supporters celebrate the party's win in Punjab Assembly polls, at the party headquarters, in New Delhi

PTI Photo

Sonia Gandhi to call CWC meet to introspect party losses; NPP not be part of BJP Manipur alliance

TrackAssembly Elections 2022 Results Live updates here!

Channi loses Bhadaur (by 37,558 votes) and Chamkaur Sahib (by 7942 votes) as per official EC trends.

Adityanath busts 'Noida jinx' after three decades

With the BJP set to secure a straight second term in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday appeared to have successfully busted what was dubbed as the "Noida Jinx".

Adityanath also looked set for a victory from Gorakhpur Urban seat while all three BJP candidates in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, appeared set for win, according to poll trends.

Track UP Assembly Election Result 2022 Live updates here!

Amarinder Singh congratulates BJP for win in four states

Delhi CM and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia speaks during a celebration, for the party's win in Punjab Assembly polls, at the party headquarters, in New Delhi, Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Aadmi Aadmi Party wins 71 seats in landslide victory, Congress secures 13 seats

With Punjab, AAP reaches an inflexion point

In the political sphere, a vacuum does not last for long. It helps a new force shoot up and, consequently, change the scenario altogether. In this round of Assembly polls, Punjab has proved this by presenting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with a huge victory.

But, the implications of what has happened in Punjab may go far beyond the state. The reasons: the AAP is ambitious, it has the capability to grow in some other states, and the potential to be a 'party with a difference', which anchors itself in a centrist position in the Hindutva versus secular debate, and being born out of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade, works for purifying Indian politics.

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EC lifts ban on victory processions

Citing improvement in the Covid-19 situation, the Election Commission on Thursday lifted the ban on victory processions during the counting of votes and declaration of results in the five states where elections were held recently.

The Commission had imposed the ban in April 2021 ahead of the results for assembly polls in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, West Bengal and Kerala and continued with the restriction for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Punjab where elections were held this year.

In a statement, the poll panel said keeping in mind the current status of Covid-19 in these states, it has "decided to relax the guidelines on victory processions during and after the counting and has withdrawn the blanket ban on victory procession."

Congress blames anti-incumbency under Amarinder Singh for defeat

In Punjab, Congres presented a new leadership through Charanjit Singh Channi who is son of the soil, but the entire anti-incumbency of 4.5 years under Captain Amarinder Singh could not be overcome and hence people voted for AAP for change: Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala

(ANI)

From stand-up comedian to Punjab CM: How Bhagwant Mann delivered his perfect punchline

Bhagwant Mann is the man of the moment in Punjab. Winning by a huge margin of over 58,000 votes, the charismatic Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader is set to take his oath as the next Punjab Chief Minister. So, what helped the comedian-turned-politician deliver his perfect punchline in the state's Assembly elections?

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We will learn from this and keep working for the interests of the people of India: Rahul Gandhi

Channi 'humbly accepts' the verdict of the people of Punjab

I'd like to congratulate my younger brother Bhagwant Mann for becoming Punjab Chief Minister. AAP has crossed over 90 seats, results are still coming; people have put a lot of faith in us, we won't break it. We will change India's politics: Kejriwal

(ANI)

Congress candidate from Punjab's Moga constituency, Malvika Sood has been defeated by AAP’s Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora by over 20,000 votes.

Bhagat Singh once said if we don't change the system after the British leave, nothing will happen. Sadly in last 75 years, these parties & leaders had the same British system, they were looting the country, no schools/hospitals were made. AAP has changed the system: Arvind Kejriwal

Sukhbir Singh Badal lost, Capt Sahab lost, Channi Sahab lost, Parkash Singh Badal lost, Navjot Singh Sidhu lost, Bikram Singh Majithia lost. Punjab has done amazing: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal

AAP supporters celebrate party's victory in Punjab assembly polls on the counting day, at the party office in Jammu on Thursday, March 10, 2022.

The Congress tragedy in BJP's near sweep

A Congress tragedy unfolded on Thursday as trends from the counting of votes in five poll-states trickled in, showing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was on its way to winning in four of them, including Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) winning Punjab for the first time and thereby becoming the only regional party to get power in two states. This phenomenon will worry the principal Opposition party in the long run.

While the BJP may not be sanguine about the emergence of a new challenger in the AAP, its repeat victory in UP in a post-pandemic poll will boost its morale two years before the next Lok Sabha polls. This comes after a year-long farmers' protest had threatened to singe its poll prospects.

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AAP wins 34 seats, leading in 57 seats

'Punjab waalo tussi kamaal kar ditta', we all love you, Punjab. The results are a massive 'inquilaab', big seats have shaken up: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal

We will fulfill the dream of Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Now people have got an alternative in politics and the people of Punjab have given an opportunity to that alternative: AAP leader and Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia

AAP candidate from reserve Bhadaur assembly seat Labh Singh Ugoke, whose father is a driver and mother a sweeper, is won the elections against Congress’ chief ministerial candidate Charanjit Singh Channi.

Read more about his here!

AAP changed the system of corruption in the last seven years, says Kejriwal as party set to sweep state

We all love you: Kejriwal addresses Punjab voters

Shiromani Akali Dal's Bikram Singh Majithia loses from Amritsar East by a margin of 14,408 votes.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu loses from Amritsar East by a margin of 6,750 votes.

Sonu Sood's sister Malvika trailing in Moga by over 20,000 votes

Congress party has lost badly in these elections. We didn't get the expected results. In Punjab people got another option and elected AAP. BJP's win is a victory of their election management too: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on assembly election results

Bhagwant Mann man of the moment in Punjab, wins by over 58K votes

Amarinder Singh loses from Patiala by a margin of 19,873 votes

Focus will be on schools, health, industry, making agriculture profitable, safety of women & improving sports infra, says Bhagwant Mann

Kejriwal along with Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain offers prayers at Hanuman Temple in Delhi, as AAP sweeps Punjab elections

AAP's Bhagwant Mann says he will take oath as Punjab CM in Bhagat Singh's ancestral village Khatkarkalan, not in Raj Bhawan

Charanjit Singh Channi loses from both seats

'Oh guru!' Sidhu's semantics costs Congress its pride in Punjab

It is the 'thoko taali' moment for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab as it stares at a landslide victory, its first-ever win outside the national capital. State Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, who became a reason of embarrassment for his party and was backed regardless, failed to save the day.

However, accepting the voice of the people as the "voice of God", he congratulated AAP on Twitter.

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AAP leads the field in Punjab: A history of its time in the state

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has more than impressed in Punjab, blitzing past the rest of the field to take the lead in a whopping 87 seats in the frontier state. The Arvind Kejriwal-helmed outfit's nearest rival, the Congress, leads in a mere 14 seats.

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Battle of the 'aam aadmis': AAP's main campaign points in Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party made major gains in Punjab with their successful attempt at sweeping out the Congress government that has been victim to prolonged infighting ever since the exit of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

The following has been a part of their main campaign agenda in a state where they had previously failed to make major inroads in 2017 despite a vigorous campaign that won them 20 seats.

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...Bade Badal Sahib has lost, Sukhbir (Badal) has lost from Jalalabad...: Bhagwant Mann

SAD's Sukhbir Singh Badal congratulates AAP

Mann greets party workers and supporters, leading by over 55,000 votes

Aam Aadmi Party wins two seats, leading in 89

Punjabis have shown true spirit of Punjabiyat by rising and voting above sectarian and caste lines: Amarinder Singh

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi trails in Bhadaur (by 22,843 votes) and Chamkaur Sahib (by 2671 votes) as per official EC trends.

AAP sheds 'Delhi party' tag, brooms Congress in Punjab, looks at national spread

The story of this edition of Assembly election is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – the Arvind Kejriwal-led party that has spread its wing beyond Delhi for the first time with a result in Punjab that catapults its national ambitions to a new height.

After an attempt that fell way behind five years ago, the AAP has finally managed to convince people in Punjab to give them a chance to repeat what they did in the national capital.

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Sidhu 'humbly accepts mandate of people', congratulates AAP

AAP now leading in 90 seats

BJP ally Captain Amarinder Singh loses his Patiala seat

Kejriwal congratulates Punjab voters for 'Inquilab'

Punjab will not be known as 'Udta Punjab' from now onwards, but 'Uthta Punjab'...: Raghav Chadha

AAP leads on 89 seats in Punjab, as per trends; Congress on 16; Akali Dal on 7 and BJP on 4

Punjab has proven that it likes the Arvind Kejriwal-Bhagwant Mann pair, & no other party's pair... all other parties tried to defame us & called Kejriwal Ji a terrorist, but public proved that he is a 'shikshak-wadi': Raghav Chadha

(ANI)

Exultant workers and supporters of AAP celebrate by dancing and distributing sweets as trends show party sweep Punjab elections with an absolute majority

BJP's lotus blooming, Sawant takes lead by over 300 votes

Track latest updates of Goa election results here!

It's acceptance of Kejriwal's governance model: AAP on Punjab trends

Even as the Aam Aadmi Party is showing a dismal performance in the early trends in two of the three states where it was contesting the Assembly elections, the party leaders in the national capital are rejoicing over the trends in Punjab where it is heading for a comfortable victory.

"These are not the trends of the victory of any party, these are trends of the acceptance of the governance model of the Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi," AAP MLA Dilip Pandey toldIANS.

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Gradually people in all states will also start to believe in our party, says Manish Sisodia

We had fielded candidates in Goa, Uttarakhand and UP, but somewhere the focus was on Punjab: AAP leader Manish Sisodia on party's performance in Goa & Uttarakhand

(ANI)

DH Political Theatre | Assembly results 2022

Punjab has given chance to Kejriwal's model of governance. Today, his model of governance has been established at the national level. This is the victory of the 'Aam Aadmi' (common man): AAP leader Manish Sisodia

(ANI)

We expected Congress to form govt in Punjab, but we didn't get required numbers. We have to introspect about it...: Maharashtra minister & Congress leader Satej Patil

(ANI)

AAP appears to be heading for clean sweep in Punjab having taken lead in 88 seats after initial rounds of counting.

After seventh round, SAD's sitting MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali maintains lead of almost 3000 votes while Sandeep Singh Sandhu of Congress slips to third and AAP's KNS Kang rises to second slot.

Out of 14 constituencies of Ludhiana District, AAP leading in 12 seats:

Atam Nagar, Gill, Jagraon, Khanna, Ludhiana East, Ludhiana North, Ludhiana South, Ludhiana West, Payal, Raikot, Sahnewal and Samrala.

Check party-wise performance, winners and losers from Punjab here!

Key takeaways so far from Punjab Assembly election result 2022

The counting of votes for 117 Assembly seats is currently under way in Punjab amid tight security arrangements. Early leads indicated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is heading to a landslide maiden victory in the state, trailing the traditional parties -- Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

Here are some of the key takeaways

AAP leading in 89 seats, Congress in 12 seats and BJP leading in 5 seats

A child of an AAP supporter dressed as party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal & to be CM Bhagwant Mann, celebrating the foreseeable victory of party in Punjab assembly elections

AAP's Jeevan Jyot Kaur leading, INC's Navjot Singh Sidhu and SAD's Bikram Majithia trailing, in Amritsar East Assembly constituency

Election staff during counting day of Punjab Assembly elections, at a counting centre in Amritsar district, Thursday, March 10, 2022.

AAP's chief ministerial face Bhagwant Mann leading from Punjab's Dhuri seat.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal behind in his Jalalabad seat

AAP candidate Gurlal Ghanaur leads by 6,000 votes from Patiala's Ghanaur.

Counting Day | Key takeaways so far

Read here

AAP leads by 5,999 votes from Amritsar east

AAP leading on 11 seats out of 14 in Ludhiana District

AAP has crossed the majority mark with an early lead in 88 Assembly constituencies in Punjab.

We can witness positive trends in Punjab, and we hope the results will also be positive. I thank the people of Punjab for voting for change, says Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai

(ANI)

Kejriwal will be BJP's principal challenger, says AAP's Raghav Chadha

Former CM and SAD candidate Parkash Singh Badal trails in Lambi

Bhagwant Mann leading in Punjab's Dhuri

Congress Mohit Mohindra trails from Patiala rural. AAP candidate Dr Balbir Singh leads from the constituency.

BJP's lead crosses magic number in bastion Uttar Pradesh; Mann closer to wearing Punjab crown

Track live Assembly elections 2022 results here!

AAP leads in 79 seats in Punjab

Celebrations at AAP's CM candidate Bhagwant Mann's residence in Sangrur as the party crosses the majority mark in Punjab. Mann leading from his seat Dhuri.

When 'Aam Aadmi' rises mightiest of thrones shake, says AAP’s Punjab co-in charge Raghav Chadha

Today's an important day in India's history, not only because AAP is winning one more state but because it has become a national force. AAP will become Congress' replacement, he said.

Ludhiana's senior-most five-time MLA Rakesh Pandey trailing behind AAP's first-timer Madan Lal Bagga leading by 1000 votes.

AAP leading in Amritsar South 4,067, West 4472, Ajnala 2645 and North 3583 votes

Meanwhile, track Uttarakhand Assembly Election Result 2022 Live results here!

Navjot Singh Sidhu trailing at second place, SAD's Bikram Majithia at third place, in the second round of counting: Election Commission data

AAP crosses halfway mark in leads, looks to script history

Channi trailing from both seats, Sidhu trailing from his seat too

AAP's Balkar Singh leads from Kartarpur after two rounds

Check the constituency-wise results of Punjab Assembly elections 2022

AAP closer to magic number 59, leading on 54 seats: ECI

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu trailing at the third spot in Amritsar East Assembly constituency

Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema leading from Dirba with 5722 votes, out of 10136 in first round

Amarinder Singh gets 1364 votes as against AAP's Ajit pal Kohli 4939 votes

AAP leading in Ferozepur Rural by 3500 votes

Early trends from Election Commission of India:

Aam Aadmi Party: 6,

Shiromani Akali Dal: 2,

Bharatiya Janata Party: 1

Others: 2

AAP leading in 16 seats in early trends

AAP's first-timer Jagtar Singh leading in Samrala, SSM supremo and it's CM face Balbir Singh Rajewal trails

AAP ahead in 12 of 25 leads in Punjab, BJP+ ahead in 36 of 58 leads

Independent candidate Rana Inder Partap Singh leading in Sultanpur Lodhi, AAP's Sajjan Singh Cheema trails in early trends

Shiromani Akali Dal leading in two seats in early trends

Shiromani Akali Dal leading in Mukerian Assembly constituency in early trends

Channi seeks blessings at Gurdwara Sri Katalgarh Sahib

Counting of postal ballots gets underway at a counting center in Gurdaspur

One Nation One Election is a good suggestion but this needs a change in the Constitution, CEC Sushil Chandra tells ANI

The Election Commission is fully geared up and is capable of holding all the elections simultaneously. We are ready to hold elections only once in 5 years, he added.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday said the first meeting of the Congress legislative party will be held on Thursday itself after the results of the Punjab Assembly polls are declared.

Congress general secretary Ajay Maken and spokesperson Pawan Khera have been sent to Punjab, where it is betting on Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi to retain power after the rebellion by veteran leader Amarinder Singh.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal had claimed that his party, which fought elections in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party, would win over 80 seats.

During the ban on election rallies due to the Omicron wave, EC took MCC violations seriously, says : Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner

'Know your candidate' App was a successful initiative by EC. Supreme Court had decided that people with criminal backgrounds should be known to the voters. So, we created this app & out of 6,900 candidates, more than 1,600 were with a criminal background, he added.

(ANI)

Counting begins; 1,304 candidates in the fray in 117 Assembly seats.

Postal ballots will be counted first and early trends will start arriving by 10 am.

Meanwhile, follow Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election Result 2022 Live updates here!

For BJP, Punjab polls step towards expanding its footprint in the state

Keeping in mind that forming the government in Punjab may be difficult, the BJP is using this assembly election as a platform to expand its political presence across the state and become a force to reckon with. The party is now independently trying to make inroads in the state and using this election as a launchpad for its expansion in Punjab before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the next assembly election in 2027.

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Key parties in the fray:

The Aam Aadmi Party is expected to make a splash in the face-off against the Congress and the BJP's alliance with former Congress man Captain Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal. Farmer leaders may also make their mark following their recent success in getting the farm laws repealed.

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AAP leader Bhagwant Mann visits gurdwara Gursagar Mastuana Sahib, at Sangrur, offers prayer

DH Radio | The poll whistle: Punjab heading for a hung assembly?

A total of 85,27,227 litres of liquor was seized from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur since the polls were announced on January 8.

Punjabtopped the chart at 59,65,496 litres worth Rs 36.79 crore, followed by Uttar Pradesh (22,94,614 litres worth Rs 62.13 crore), Uttarakhand (97,176 litres worth Rs 4.79 crore), Goa (95,446 litres worth Rs 3.57 crore) and Manipur (74,495 litres worth Rs 73 lakh).

Trust people's judgment to deliver positive verdict in our favour: Amarinder Singh

On the eve of the counting of votes, former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday exuded confidence that the people of Punjab will deliver a positive verdict in favour of his party’s alliance with the BJP and SAD (Sanyukt). After quitting the Congress following his unceremonious exit as the chief minister last year, Singh had launched his own political party -- Punjab Lok Congress -- and stitched an alliance with the BJP and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led SAD (Sanyukt).

Stage set for counting of votes in five states; BJP eyes big win

It is not just the fate of 6,944 candidates in 690 seats that will be known when the counting of votes in five states will be conducted on Thursday but also the future political course in the run-up to 2024 Lok Sabha elections as several parties are waiting with bated breath for the outcome.

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Jalebis being prepared, flower decoration being done at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party CM candidate Bhagwant Mann, at Sangrur

Punjab Election Constituency-wise Result 2022:Party-wise performance, winners and losers

AAP's Chief Ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann arrives to inspect arrangements at the Mohindra College, where Electronic Voting Machines are kept ahead of the counting of votes for Punjab Assembly polls, in Patiala, Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

Punjab gears up for counting of votes

The stage is set for counting of votes on Thursday for 117 assembly seats in Punjab where the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has emerged as a major contender while the Congress is seeking to retain power in the multi-cornered contest.

Various exit polls have predicted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will form the next government in Punjab but a few have also forecast a hung assembly in the state which had witnessed a high-stakes contest on February 20.

Counting of votes will start at 8 am at 117 centres in 66 locations, said Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju on Wednesday.

A total of 1,304 candidates, including 93 women and two transgenders, were in the fray.

The state recorded voter turnout of 71.95 per cent. It was the lowest percentage as compared to the voting percentage observed in three previous assembly elections.

The Poll Whistle: Post-election arithmetics, explained

Congress may relegate itself to the margins with the real possibility of AAP ousting it from power in Punjab

In Charanjit Singh Channi, a silver-lining for Congress?

As Monday's exit poll numbers suggested an AAP-victory in Punjab, the Congress party would still try to find a silver lining in their Chief Ministerial candidate for the northern state, Charanjit Singh Channi.

Read more

Punjab Assembly Election Result 2017

Track latest results of the Punjab Assembly elections 2022 here!