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Punjab: A Political Overview

Current CM of Punjab: Bhagwant Singh Mann (AAP)

cm-14 Punjab: A Political Overview

Leader of Opposition: Partap Singh Bajwa (INC):

opp-9-1024x683 Punjab: A Political Overview

Shiromani Akali Dal: Sukhbir Singh Badal

sukhbir-1024x541 Punjab: A Political Overview

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Sunil Kumar Jakhar

sunil-1024x736 Punjab: A Political Overview

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): Jasvir Singh Garhi

jasvir Punjab: A Political Overview

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amristar): Simranjit Singh Mann

simranj-1024x766 Punjab: A Political Overview

Lok Insaaf Party: Simarjit Singh Bains

bains Punjab: A Political Overview

Politics:

Politics in the reorganized present-day Punjab is primarily dominated by three major parties: the Indian National Congress (INC), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) (Badal). Since 1967, the position of Chief Minister in Punjab has predominantly been held by individuals from the Jat Sikh community, which constitutes about 21 percent of the state’s population. Notable exceptions include Giani Zail Singh, who served as Chief Minister from 17 March 1972 to 30 April 1977 and belonged to the Ramgarhia community, which is part of the broader Other Backward Classes (OBC) community that makes up 31.3 percent of the state’s population. Another exception is Charanjit Singh Channi, who held the position for 111 days from 20 September 2021 to 16 March 2022 and was from the Scheduled Caste (Dalit) community, which accounts for 32 percent of Punjab’s population.

Another prominent party in Punjab is the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), particularly influential in the Doaba region. The BSP was founded by Kanshi Ram, a native of Rupnagar district. In the 1992 Vidhan Sabha elections, the BSP won 9 seats, and in the 1996 general elections, it secured 3 Lok Sabha seats from Punjab. However, in the 1997 Vidhan Sabha elections, the BSP managed to win only the Garhshanker seat. Communist parties also hold some influence in the Malwa region.

In the 2014 general elections, the Aam Aadmi Party made its debut in Punjab, winning 4 out of 13 Lok Sabha seats. It won 34 out of 117 assembly segments, came second in 7, third in 73, and fourth in the remaining 3 segments. The AAP‘s support continued to grow, and in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, the party won 92 out of 117 Assembly seats, with Bhagwant Mann becoming the Chief Minister. The Indian National Congress, on the other hand, was reduced to just 18 seats.

Lok Sabha:

1952

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) dominated the first general election in Punjab.

1957

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) continued its dominance.

1962

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) maintained its stronghold.

1967

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC), but the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) began emerging as a significant force.

1971

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) achieved a decisive victory.

1977

  • Winners: Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won a majority, reflecting the anti-Emergency sentiment.

1980

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) regained power following the decline of the Janata Party.

1984

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) won by a landslide in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

1989

  • Winners: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance emerged strong.

1991

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) returned to power amidst the instability caused by terrorism in Punjab.

1996

  • Winners: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

1998

  • Winners: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance continued to perform well.

1999

  • Winners: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance won most of the seats.

2004

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) made a comeback.

2009

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) retained its position.

2014

  • Winners: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) made its debut, winning 4 out of 13 seats; Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance also performed well.

2019

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) won 8 out of 13 seats, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced losses, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to win 1 seat.

Rajya Sabha:

1952-1956

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) dominated these early years, reflecting its strong position in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.

1957-1966

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) continued to dominate, with occasional representation from other groups as the political landscape began to diversify.

1967-1976

  • Winners: Indian National Congress (INC) maintained a strong presence, but the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) began to emerge as a significant political force, gaining representation in the Rajya Sabha.

1977-1986

  • Winners: With the anti-Emergency sentiment and the rise of the Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), these parties won significant seats during this period.

1987-1996

  • Winners: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) increased its influence, particularly after the 1984 events and the Indian National Congress (INC) also retained some seats.

1997-2006

  • Winners: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance became more prominent, reflecting the SAD’s influence in Punjab politics. Indian National Congress (INC) also retained a presence.

2007-2016

  • Winners: Both Indian National Congress (INC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) continued to send members to the Rajya Sabha, with BJP also gaining representation through its alliance with SAD.

2017-2023

  • Winners: The rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) changed the dynamics. Indian National Congress (INC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) still maintained their presence, but AAP began to gain influence as well.

History:

Pre-1947 Period

Before the 1947 partition of Punjab, politics in the region were largely dominated by the Unionist Party. The Unionist Party was the main political force in united Punjab, particularly evident in the 1937 elections, where it emerged as the leading party. This period saw the Unionist Party representing a cross-community alliance, drawing support from Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs in the region.

1947–1966

During the period from 1947 to 1966, Punjab was undivided and included the territories of present-day Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. This meant that the population and religious demographics of the state were diverse, with a significant mix of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims. The Indian National Congress (INC) dominated the political scene during this time, leveraging its broad appeal across different communities. The INC’s dominance was due to its role in the independence movement and its ability to attract support from various religious and ethnic groups in the state.

Political Parties:

Punjab’s political landscape is deeply intertwined with its historical and cultural roots, particularly influenced by the prominence of Sikhism. The partition of India in 1947 divided Punjab between India and Pakistan, drastically altering the region’s demographic and political makeup. The reorganization of states in 1966 further shaped present-day Punjab, creating separate states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Historically, the Indian National Congress (INC) dominated Punjab’s politics, especially in the early post-independence years, leveraging its role in the independence movement and broad appeal across diverse communities. However, the rise of regional parties like the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which champions Sikh interests, and the more recent emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have significantly shifted the political dynamics in the state. Punjab’s politics today are characterized by a complex interplay of religious, regional, and socio-economic factors, making it one of India’s most politically vibrant states.

Political Disputes:

Punjab has witnessed several political disputes that have shaped its socio-political landscape over the years. One of the most significant and enduring disputes has been the demand for greater autonomy and recognition of Sikh identity, which culminated in the Punjabi Suba movement leading to the reorganization of the state in 1966. The river waters dispute, involving Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, has also been a longstanding issue, with Punjab seeking a greater share of its river waters for agricultural purposes. Another major conflict was the insurgency period in the 1980s, marked by demands for a separate Sikh state of Khalistan, which led to Operation Blue Star in 1984 and subsequent violence, leaving deep scars on the state’s political fabric. Additionally, disputes over Chandigarh, which serves as the capital for both Punjab and Haryana, and the sharing of resources between the two states, continue to be contentious. These disputes have not only influenced the political dynamics within Punjab but have also had a significant impact on its relations with the central government and neighbouring states.