Tarntaran By-poll: AAP Sweeps as Harmeet Singh Sandhu Wins by 12,000 Votes

Tarntaran : AAP won the Tarntaran seat of Punjab on Friday. Harmeet Singh Sandhu won by a huge margin of 12,091 votes. Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa stood second. Sandhu got a strong lead from the beginning, while Congress's performance was much weaker than expected. Now the question is whether this victory is a sign of the re-emergence of AAP's strength in Punjab.

How was the performance of other parties?

The counting of votes took place in two halls. Separate arrangements were made for EVMs and postal ballots. Election Officer Gurmeet Singh said that transparency was ensured through micro observers and CCTV. By the last round, Sandhu's lead was confirmed. Sandhu defeated Akali Dal candidate by 12,091 votes. The candidate of Amritpal Singh's party stood third. BJP's Harjeet Singh Sandhu got only 6,239 votes. The total voting was close to 68%.

How was the performance of the Congress candidate?

Congress's Karanbir Singh Burj got only 15,078 votes. That means there was a shameful defeat. Harmeet Sandhu (then Azad) had won in 2002, when Captain Amarinder's son Gurinderpal Kairon got 14,204 votes. The core vote bank of Congress was shattered. AAP focused on farmer and youth issues, which worked.

Is this the victory of Bhagwant Mann?

This seat became vacant due to the death of AAP MLA Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal. Sandhu carried forward Sohal's legacy. The main contenders were AAP's Harmeet Singh Sandhu, SAD's Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, Congress's Karanbir Singh Burj, and BJP's Harjeet Singh Sandhu. Amritpal's party also tried to contest but was limited to third place.

What new twist will come in Punjab politics?

This victory can prove to be a big boost for AAP. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government will get more stability in Punjab. AAP gave a big blow to Akali Dal in Tarn Taran. Now it remains to be seen whether these results will give a new direction to the politics of Punjab. After this, Punjab Assembly elections are also to be held in 2027. What impact this victory will have on the upcoming assembly elections will be known only in the coming days.