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| Edited By: Shraddha Panicker |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Mar 11, 2017, 11:07 PM IST
Winning 77 of the 117 state assembly seats, the Amarinder Singh led Congress today stormed to power in Punjab riding a strong anti-incumbency wave against the ruling SAD-BJP combine and warding off a spirited challenge by newcomer AAP.
The party put up its second best performance in the state. In the 1992 state elections, it had won 87 seats. With 77 MLAs it now just one seat short of a two third majority. In addition, Congress today also won the bypoll to the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat.
The SAD-BJP alliance finished at number three spot in the state polls, behind AAP, which contesting its first Punjab assembly elections emerged as the largest opposition party with 20 seats. However, the number fell way short of Arvind Kejriwal's claim of winning 100 seats.
Here's a quick look at the Punjab Assembly Elections:
AAP comes second with 20 seats, SAD-BJP alliance gets 18 seats, Lok Insaaf Party wins two.
Congress wins 77 seats, one short of two-thirds majority.
The youngest contestant in fray Davinder Singh Ghubaya (25), who is son of estranged SAD MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, edged past BJP leader and cabinet minister Surjit Kumar Jyani from Fazilka seat. Davinder won be a slender margin of 265 votes against Jyani.
89-year-old Parkash Singh Badal kept his winning streak intact by overcoming a challenging elections towards the fag end of his political carrier. He is the oldest candidate in the state. Today's win was his 11th entry to the state assembly since 1957 when he fought his first election. He retained his traditional Lambi Assembly seat by beating Congress heavyweight Amarinder Singh by a margin of 22,770 votes. Notably, Amarinder had entered the electoral battle from his pocket borough Patiala seat also and ended up winning from there again.
Captain Amarinder Singh's winning margin was the highest in the 117-member state Assembly. The scion of the erstwhile Patiala royal family won convincingly with a margin of 52,407 votes as he crushed his nearest rival AAP candidate Balbir Singh. The former Punjab Chief Minister polled 72,586 votes while Balbir got 20,179 votes.
I thank everyone in Punjab for their immense faith and support. This is a mandate for a brighter future for Punjab and it's youth
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 11, 2017
My heartiest congratulations to Capt Amarinder Singhji & all our party workers who worked tirelessly @capt_amarinder
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 11, 2017
To all Congress workers across India: We stand resolute & committed to our values & our belief in an India united in strength & purpose
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 11, 2017
Our fight continues and will not end till we win the hearts & minds of people
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) March 11, 2017
Sucha Singh Chhotepur of APP has lost in Gurdaspur while AAP's Gurpreet Singh Waraich has lost from Batala and Himmat Singh Shergill has lost from Majitha.
Former senior journalist, #AAP leader @SandhuKanwar emerges victorious from Kharar #PunjabElection2017 @DNA
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
Five biggest winners in Punjab
Amarinder Singh, Patiala — margin over 52,000 (Congress)
Navjot Singh Siddhu, Amritsar East — margin over 45,000 (Congress)
Parminder Singh Pinki, Firozpur city — margin over 29,000 (Congress)
Aruna Chowdhary, Dina Nagar — margin over 31,000 (Congress)
Thekedar Madanlal, Ghanaur — margin over 36,000 (Congress)
Five biggest losers in Punjab
Raj Kumar, Pathankot — margin over 50,000 (AAP)
Gurupartap Singh Khushalpur, Dera Baba Nanak — margin over 43,000 (AAP)
Simranjit Singh Mann, Barnala — margin over 42,000 (Shiromani Akali Dal)
Satnam Singh Kaint, Banga — margin over 31,000 (Congress)
Balbir Kaur, Dasuya — margin over 34,000 (AAP)
I thank people of Punjab for giving @Akali_Dal_ & @BJP4Punjab the opportunity to serve for 10 years & for the support we got in these polls.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 11, 2017
After @BhagwantMann , #AAP Punjab Convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich (Ghuggi) loses election from #Batala #PunjabElection2017 @dna
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
Meanwhile, with the trends indicating a humiliating defeat for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab and Goa, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today accepting defeat, said that his struggle would continue.
"We respect the people's decision. I thank all the party workers for their hard work. The struggle would continue," he tweeted.
जनता का फ़ैसला सर माथे पे। सभी कार्यकर्ताओं ने बहुत मेहनत की। संघर्ष जारी रहेगा।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 11, 2017
Congress gets majority in 117-member Punjab Assembly, wins 61 seats, leading in 17 other seats.
Jalalabad elects Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, defeats AAP MP @BhagwantMann and Congress MP Ravneet Bittu. #PunjabElection2017 @dna
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
Two senior #Congress leaders SunilJakhar from Abohar & former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal from Lehra lose election! #PunjabElection2017 @dna
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
LIVE | #PunjabElection2017 PM Narendra Narendra Modi congratulates Captain Amarinder Singh on his win in #Punjab https://t.co/bD32mZI8dE
— DNA (@dna) March 11, 2017
Spoke to @capt_amarinder & congratulated him on the win in Punjab. Also wished him a happy birthday & prayed for his long & healthy life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 11, 2017
Son-in-law of CM #Badal , Adesh Partap Singh Kairon,also the longest serving minister in the state loses from Patti #PunjabElection2017@dna
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
#Congress steers towards victory after winning 22 seats, leading in 56 #PunjabElection2017 @dna pic.twitter.com/z6rp9PpEdU
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
"Arvinder Kejriwal is like a summer storm which came and has gone," says Amarinder Singh.
"We hope Union Government will recognise demands of Punjab and assist us. Committed to good governance, tackling drug menace; Health, education will be priority."
Punjab Congress legislature party to meet tomorrow, says Amarinder Singh.
Badal congratulates Captain Amarinder Singh, extends support to him.
"The decision on who will be Deputy CM will be taken by party high command" says @capt_amarinder #congress #PunjabElection2017 @dna
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
"As promised, fighting #drugs will be our first priority. Will do that within 4 weeks " @capt_amarinder #PunjabElection2017 @dna pic.twitter.com/AxsTcMnG3j
— Srishti Choudhary (@Srish__T) March 11, 2017
Meanwhile other wins have started tricking in:
Parkash Singh Badal (SAD) has won from Lambi
Adv HS Phoolka (AAP) has won from Dakha
Amit (INC) has won from Pathankot
LIVE | #PunjabElection2017 Parkash Singh Badal to submit his resignation to the Governor tomorrow https://t.co/bD32mZI8dE
— DNA (@dna) March 11, 2017
We will discuss the reasons in the core committee meeting & analyse each aspect of our performance in the elections: Prakash Singh Badal pic.twitter.com/jnSI6VEvn1
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
BJP Punjab mein haar rahi hai aur Goa CM apni seat se haar gaye; kya yeh Modiji ki leadership ki taraf ishara nahi hai?: Randeep Surjewala pic.twitter.com/zV8xgmDIKQ
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Congratulations Captain!
Captain Amrinder Singh has won from Patiala urban seat by a margin of over 51000 votes #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/1xUCqy9nuk
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Grateful to the people of Punjab for their overwhelming support! With this verdict, it's time to bring back the heydays of Punjab!
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 11, 2017
Let me take this opportunity to thank the Congress rank & file for their tremendous effort!
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) March 11, 2017
#PunjabElection2017 "Grateful to the people of Punjab for their overwhelming support," says @capt_amarinder https://t.co/bD32mZI8dE pic.twitter.com/Gqf1cwYJ7J
— DNA (@dna) March 11, 2017
Watch what Sidhu has to say:
Congress' Navjot Singh Sidhu has reacted on the party's good show in Punjab. "This is the revival of the Congress. The party will take strength from Punjab," he said.
Celebrations outside Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu's residence in Amritsar #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/FuItRZbhM0
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Congress spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee said: "People of Punjab have understand the true nature of AAP. They have learnt from the Delhi experience. These results show that AAP's national ambitions have been nipped in the bud."
Bureaucrats have started visiting Capt Amarinder Singh's residence with bouquets.
Punjab #ElectionResults : Congress crosses halfway mark, AAP falls back to third place https://t.co/bD32mZI8dE
— DNA (@dna) March 11, 2017
Trends as of 10.30 am pic.twitter.com/HeJ3rXQlaD
And with the Congress all set to be back in power in Punjab, it will be a blockbuster birthday for Congress leader and former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who turns 75 today.
Congress's Navjot Singh Sidhu leading from Amritsar East seat #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/Ey4YdS1VEC
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Congress leading in Punjab: Party workers celebrate in Chandigarh #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/n7XFz6U5KM
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
SAD's Bikram Singh Majithia leading from Majitha by 6549 votes #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/nTiiN92wcf
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
#LatestTrends: Punjab Congress vice-president Sunil Jakhar trailing from Abohar by 3485 votes pic.twitter.com/RGnOikwrEK
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Congress is maintaining a strong lead. Media and party workers begin gathering at Captain Amarinder Singh's residence in Chandigarh.
After trailing at the start, Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal is currently leading with 80,647 votes in Jalalabad.
Adv HS Phoolka of AAP is trailing in Dakha.
#PunjabPolls2017 AAP's Gurpreet Singh Ghughi leading from Batala #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/nVtSCdrkOS
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Early trends show Congress is leading in 11 out of 25 seats in Majha region.
While, he's trailing in Lambi, Amarinder Singh has better news in Patiala.
#PunjabPolls2017 Captain Amarinder Singh leading by 3500 votes from Patiala seat #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/mk0sSPIRIN
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Meanwhile, Navjot Singh Sidhu of Congress is leading in Amritsar East.
Early trends show the Congress is leading in 21 seats, AAP in 7 seats and Akali+BJP in 4 seats.
#PunjabElection2017 LIVE AAP's Bhagwant Mann is leading in Jalalabad while Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal is trailing https://t.co/bD32mZI8dE
— DNA (@dna) March 11, 2017
Punjab: Parkash Singh Badal leading from Lambi. Capt Amarinder Singh second and AAP's Jarnail Singh third #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/L8xN3TnN5b
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Counting has begun in all the 54 centres at 27 locations in Punjab for 117 assembly seats. #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/Viidui6oxu
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
