Punjab is slated to vote in Phase 7 on the 19th of May and the state is witnessing a triangular contest. Even though the Aam Aadmi Party’s strength has declined—as acknowledged by many political pundits—a 10-12% vote share (half of what it secured last time) is likely to be the deciding factor in each seat. It is noteworthy that in 2014 Lok Sabha elections the votes secured by 3rd candidate was higher than margin of victory on 11 out of 13 seats.
Fast forward to 2019, each party is having its own set of problems. There has been a split in the Akali Dal. The AAP is in disarray, two of its four MPs have resigned. The Congress govt is facing anti-incumbency, anger over farm loan waivers, inability to stop the drug menace, and the game of one-upmanship between Navjot Singh Sidhu and Captain Amarinder Singh. Though Sidhu has now joined the campaign after a war of words, is it too late to benefit the party?