Bypolls: A mixed day for Congress
It was a day of mixed fortune for the Congress on Sunday. While the party was jubilant over its electoral victories in Punjab and Kerala bypolls, in Himachal Pradesh it received a jolt with former Union minister Sukh Ram and his son and minister Anil Sharma, switching loyalties to the BJP.
Interestingly, the Congress is in a jubilant mood after the two massive bypoll wins. Many leaders have started saying that this is the beginning of the BJP downfall.
In Punjab, the Congress trounced the BJP by winning the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha berth with a margin of 1,93,219. Sunil Jhakhar, Punjab Congress chief, wrested the seat from the BJP. Sitting MP of the BJP Vinod Khanna had passed away and the seat had fallen vacant.
In Kerala, the Congressled UDF’s ally IUML won the Vengara Assembly berth by 23,310 votes.
It was a day of mixed fortune for the Congress on Sunday. While the party was jubilant over its electoral victories in Punjab and Kerala bypolls, in Himachal Pradesh it received a jolt with former union minister Sukh Ram and his son sitting state minister Anil Sharma, switching loyalties to the BJP.
It may be recalled with its eye on the Assembly bypoll the BJP had intensified its rallies and meetings in the state.
Speaking to reporters after the victory in Gurdaspur, Punjab minister and actor-turnedpolitician Navjot Singh Sidhu said, “This (victory) is a big slap on the face of jija-saala (SAD chief Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia). Today BJP will realise that Akali Dal in Punjab has become a burden. Time and again people have reprimanded them. It will be demoralising and send them (SAD-BJP) packing.”
In Kerala, the Congressled UDF's ally Indian Union Muslim League won the Vengara Assembly berth by 23,310 votes. It may be recalled with its eye on the Assembly bypoll the BJP had intensified its rallies and meetings in the state.