The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has received a jolt in the Gidderbaha civic body elections, securing only 2,075 votes across all 19 wards. This is a significant drop for a party that has historically dominated the constituency, having won nine out of 15 Assembly elections from this seat.
Internal Blame Game Intensifies
Following the dismal performance, a blame game has erupted within the party. Some workers are pointing fingers at Gurwinder Singh Vanwala, the party's office in-charge, while others hold the senior leadership responsible for not contesting the Assembly bypoll in 2024. Vanwala, however, attributed the poor results to alleged violations by the ruling party. He claimed, "We were leading in at least five wards, but the ballot papers counted did not match those actually given to the voters."
Historical Context: From Dominance to Decline
Longtime party members recall that such a scenario was unimaginable in the past. Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal won from Gidderbaha five times consecutively. He later handed over the seat to his nephew Manpreet Singh Badal, who also won four times in a row. This legacy makes the current performance particularly alarming for the SAD.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which contested the civic polls in alliance with Manpreet, fared even worse, securing only 973 votes. The BJP failed to cross the 100-vote mark in any single ward.
What Lies Ahead for SAD in Gidderbaha?
The results have raised serious questions about the party's organizational strength and voter connect in a constituency that was once its stronghold. With internal discord and external challenges, the SAD faces an uphill task to regain its lost ground ahead of future elections.
