While Jalandhar Byeletion 2023 result is yet to be declared by the Election Commission of India, celebrations have already begun in the Aam Aadmi Party camp. While the announcement by Election Commission is now only a formality as Sushil Rinku clearly won the Jalandhar Lok Sabha Byelection as he secured a total of 302097 votes, stretching the vote percentage of AAP to 34.05. Notably, Punjab Congress Chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring concedes defeat in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha by-poll saying, "We humbly accept people's mandate, congratulate AAP". Following this, AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann addressed a joint press conference and the Delhi CM expressed his gratitude to the people of Punjab for showing faith in his party and Mann's governance.
During the press conference, Delhi CM Kejriwal informed that during the 2022 elections, AAP had only 4 seats out of 9. However, after the victory in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha by-poll, AAP is now leading on 7 seats out of the 9 seats of the constituency. The two seats where AAP could not lead are- Jalandhar (Centre) and Jalandhar (North). Interestingly, in Jalandhar Centre, AAP has its sitting MLA Raman Arora, but the party could not lead from that seat in the by-poll. Interestingly, Congress candidate Karmjit Kaur Chaudhry could get a lead from Phillaur from where his own son Vikram Chaudhry is an MLA.
Delhi CM Kejriwal further outlined that AAP has broken Congress' stronghold and stated that having received the status of 'National Party' it was only Lok Sabha where AAP was not present but with this, it can be said that AAP's footprint will not be in Lok Sabha as well.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann stated that AAP is a 14-month-old government in Punjab and asked for votes based on its work. AAP did not do divisive politics but outlined Mohalla Clinics, Free Power, action against corruption, and more. Mann also outlined that winning with almost 60,000 margins showcased, how the people of Punjab have supported the AAP, its work culture, and its honesty. Doaba was a Congress stronghold for the past 50 years, they did not even used to go there and ask for votes. They were so much confident, but this result has shown them that the people of Punjab now support AAP.
What does Sushil Rinku's victory mean for the AAP?
The Jalandhar Byelection was vital for the AAP as Doaba was considered the fort of Congress in Punjab. In the last election, Congress had performed well in Doaba. In fact, out of 9 seats of the Jalandhar constituency, 5 were won by the Congress party. As Sushil Rinku has finally won the Jalandhar Bypolls 2023, factors like free power which was given to 87 percent of the people, a crackdown on corruption, transparency in government jobs, and installation of mohalla clinics which is the basic package of essential health services including medicines, diagnostics, and consultation free of cost have won the voters. Having lost the Sangrur seat, the victory in Jalandhar Bypolls once again shows that the people of Punjab have faith in the Bhagwant Mann-led government. Not only this, AAP has also got a Dalit face in the region of Doaba where 42 percent of people belong to the Dalit Community. This might also favour the AAP in the upcoming 2024 General Elections.