A paradigm shift in Punjab’s electoral politics: AAP’s landslide victory in the 2022 assembly elections

The nature of electoral contest in Punjab was bipolar since the reorganization of the state in 1966. There was always a direct contest between traditional political parties of Punjab i.e.; Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Indian National Congress (INC). Both of these political parties were governing the state alternately. This bipolar party politics is challenged by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, in which AAP emerged as a third player by securing 4 seats out of 13 seats. Furthermore, 2017 assembly polls strengthened the position of AAP, as party became the main opposition party in the assembly by winning 20 seats. But the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections marked a transformative moment in the state's political landscape in which Aam Aadmi Party secured an unprecedented victory. This was a new landmark in the performance of AAP, as the party formed the government by winning 92 Vidhan Sabha seats in the state. Consequently, the nature of electoral contest in Punjab has converted into multi-polar from the bipolar. This research paper aims to analyze the reasons behind the landslide victory of AAP in 2022 Punjab Assembly Polls and its affect on the nature of electoral contest in Punjab. The main reasons behind the massive victory of AAP were the voters’ anger against the existing political parties, Delhi Governance Model of AAP, Leadership of Bhagwant Maan, support of youth and women, farmer agitation, internal factionalism in Congress and SAD, effective campaign strategy and people’s uproar for change.