Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has made a bold political prediction ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, triggering fresh political debate in the state.
During an interview with a private media house, the Punjab Chief Minister claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party would win only one or two seats in Pathankot district, while Indian National Congress would secure a maximum of nine seats. He further asserted that Shiromani Akali Dal would fail to win even a single seat.
The statement, made in written form during the interaction, did not appear to be based on any scientific survey or electoral data. Political observers view it as an attempt by the Aam Aadmi Party to build momentum ahead of the ongoing municipal and local body elections, the results of which are scheduled to be declared on Friday.
Although Bhagwant Mann did not personally campaign for AAP’s 1,801 candidates in the civic polls, his mother reportedly campaigned for some party nominees.
By projecting AAP as Punjab’s only dominant political force, the Chief Minister appeared to boost the morale of party workers at a time when opposition parties, particularly Congress and the BJP, are mounting a strong challenge in urban constituencies.
Opposition leaders dismissed Mann’s prediction as political “pep talk” aimed at energising party workers and diverting attention from public anger over law and order issues and governance concerns.
The civic body elections are being closely watched as an indicator of public sentiment, especially in urban areas where dissatisfaction with the government is believed to be stronger than in rural regions.
Political analysts also noted that by giving Congress the highest projected tally among opposition parties, Mann effectively acknowledged Congress as AAP’s principal rival in Punjab politics, while attempting to politically sideline the Akali Dal.
Similarly, by restricting the BJP’s prospects largely to Pathankot, the Chief Minister suggested that despite aggressive expansion efforts and backing from the Central government, the BJP has yet to establish a strong statewide base in Punjab.
