It is now just a matter of a few hours. The wait is almost over 18 days after Punjab voted to elect 117 MLAs to the state assembly polls. The results – for which counting will begin at 8 am tomorrow – will finally end speculations around the battle for Punjab.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made elaborate security arrangements in the state for the counting of votes. 50 paramilitary companies have been deployed to manage the three-tier security in and around the counting centres. A dry run was done on Wednesday to ensure a smooth counting of votes.
As the poll body runs security checks, Sangrur is all decked up in anticipation that the 17th chief minister of the state will be from the town.
The Aam Aadmi Party’s chief ministerial face Bhagwant Mann’s Sangrur home is at the centre of celebrations. People from across the state have descended with garlands – made of flowers and notes – and sweets.
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A massive LED wall has been installed for supporters to watch the election results. Chairs have been put to welcome the supporters and party workers who will likely be virtually addressed by Arvind Kejriwal after the result is announced.
Bhagwant Mann will also address them from the roof of his house, before leaving for Chandigarh if AAP wins.
Mann has claimed that the party can win anything between 80 to 100 seats and said that the people have voted for change this time.
Congress’ Last ‘Resort’
Meanwhile, the Congress headquarters in Chandigarh were rather unadorned. The party high-command held a meeting with Harish Chaudhary, Ajay Makhan, Charanjit Singh Channi, Navjot Singh Sidhu, among others. According to sources, the party may move its MLAs to Rajasthan and other places in case it fails to win the seats needed to form the government.
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Punjab Lok Congress leaders’ claims at a dinner party hosted by party chief Captain Amrinder Singh last night that many Congress and AAP leaders are in touch with them have triggered alarm among the Congress leadership. The party fears horse trading of its MLAs.
Shiromani Akali Dal Fuming Over Exit Polls
Several exit polls, including the India Today-Axis My India exit poll, have projected a debacle for the Shiromani Akali Dal in the elections. Exit polls predicting only seven to 26 seats have left the Badals fuming.
Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has claimed that the party, with BSP, will form a government.
“Our feedback says that we will form a government with a full majority. We will get 16 to 17 additional seats this time,” Sukhbir Badal said.
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He has also demanded a ban on the opinion and exit polls, calling them speculative.
“The opinion polls and exit polls should be banned. Some political parties like AAP are trying to influence voters through the media and the opinion polls. These polls have lost all credibility,” Sukhbir Badal said.