Punjab Newsline, Tarntaran
Meets CM Bhagwant Mann Ahead of Oath Ceremony; Senior AAP Leaders to Attend
Harmeet Singh Sandhu, who won the Tarn Taran Assembly by-election, is set to take oath as an MLA today. Prior to the ceremony, Sandhu met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The meeting is seen as a formal interaction ahead of the oath-taking event. Sandhu will take oath in the chamber of Assembly Speaker Kultar Sandhwan, where several senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be present. Sandhu recently entered the Assembly after securing a decisive victory in the bypoll.
Harmeet Singh Sandhu’s political journey has been a significant point of discussion during this by-election. A few months before the polls, he left the Shiromani Akali Dal and joined the Aam Aadmi Party. Soon after joining, he was declared the party’s candidate from Tarn Taran, and he went on to win the election with an impressive margin. Political observers view his victory as an important achievement for AAP, especially at a time when Punjab’s political landscape is undergoing major shifts.
The by-election in Tarn Taran was necessitated by unforeseen circumstances. In the 2022 Assembly elections, AAP’s Kashmir Singh Sohal was elected MLA from this seat. However, he passed away earlier this year due to illness, leaving the seat vacant and prompting the bypoll. Sensing an opportunity, AAP inducted senior Akali Dal leader Harmeet Singh Sandhu into the party and fielded him as their candidate. With his grassroots connection and political experience, the party believed he had a strong chance of winning.
The election results proved this belief right. Harmeet Singh Sandhu defeated Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Sukhwinder Kaur by a margin of 12,091 votes. The victory is significant not only for AAP but also for the Akali Dal. Although the Akali Dal did not win the seat, the party’s improved performance—finishing second despite being out of power for years—is being seen by analysts as a sign of a potential comeback. Their performance in this election was better than in recent years, indicating possible new political equations in Punjab.
There is notable enthusiasm in the AAP camp ahead of today’s oath-taking ceremony. Senior party leaders say Sandhu’s win reflects the strength of the organization and the trust of the people. All eyes will now be on how Sandhu prioritizes key issues for the people of Tarn Taran during his term and what new development initiatives he brings. After taking the oath, he will officially assume his legislative duties and responsibilities toward his constituency.