The Aam Aadmi Party’s victory in the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll did not come as a surprise by the time the final rounds of counting were underway, but the result has made it clear that several ground-level factors quietly worked in AAP’s favour.
Harmeet Singh Sandhu’s win by 12,091 votes capped off a day that underlined the party’s ability to hold its rural support base despite a tough contest and rising panthic sentiment in the region.
One of the biggest advantages for AAP was the candidate himself. Harmeet Singh Sandhu, a former MLA with a long presence in the constituency, had the benefit of familiarity. Many voters, especially in village pockets, viewed him as someone who understands local issues. His personal connect helped AAP compete in an area where panthic and akali networks traditionally hold influence.
The second factor was AAP’s organisational machinery, which, despite facing criticism at the state level, remained active at the booth level in Tarn Taran. Party workers stayed visible on the ground for several weeks, holding meetings, ensuring turnout and responding to local concerns. The consistent door-to-door effort helped AAP stay ahead, especially in the early rounds of counting where it built a steady lead.
The split in the Opposition vote also worked to AAP’s benefit. The Shiromani Akali Dal staged a strong comeback with Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, but the presence of Independent candidate Mandeep Singh, backed by Waris Punjab De, cut into traditional panthic votes.
The Congress, which failed to build momentum, slipped far behind and ultimately lost its security deposit. The BJP remained a marginal force in the constituency, leaving AAP, SAD and the independent candidate to divide the bulk of the votes.
Another important reason behind AAP’s win was the government’s focus on welfare announcements in recent months. While statewide dissatisfaction was visible in several constituencies, schemes related to electricity subsidies, school upgrades and mohalla clinics still resonated with a section of voters in Tarn Taran. For many, choosing AAP was seen as giving continuity to an administration they felt was delivering at least some visible benefits.
The bypoll also turned into a test of how each party handled local grievances. AAP’s handling of issues related to drug abuse, road repairs, and stalled projects drew mixed reactions, but Sandhu’s promise to “push pending works on priority” appeared to convince enough voters.
Meanwhile, the Congress failed to project a strong local campaign, and its leadership misjudged the mood on the ground. The Akali Dal did manage to re-energise its cadre, but the divided Opposition prevented it from overtaking AAP.