Tarn Taran Bypoll Result: AAP wins the seat; Sukhbir Badal wins the political battle – Tirchhi Nazar by Baljit Balli
Non-Panthic party wins in a Panthic stronghold
Will Punjab’s political arena change for 2027?
Different Lessons for All Parties
Even Not Unexpected but Still a Moral Boost for AAP – Track Record
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The Aam Aadmi Party has won the Tarn Taran by-election, triggering celebrations across the party, including by Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
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Except for Barnala, AAP has won most of the bypolls held so far.
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AAP claims that voters are repeatedly endorsing the performance of the Bhagwant Mann government.
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In most by-polls, leaders from other parties were poached and fielded—Tarn Taran saw a similar pattern by AAP.
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Harmeet Sandhu was brought in from the Shiromani Akali Dal and fielded as AAP’s candidate—and he won.
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Every ruling party enjoys certain advantages in by-polls, such as using official influence and various means to manage elections; this too was evident in Tarn Taran.
Political Impact for 2027
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AAP is calling this win the semifinal of 2027 and claims it will win the final by an even bigger margin.
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But the Tarn Taran verdict has raised several new questions and triggered political ripples.
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Big challenge for AAP to repeat this in the 2027 Vidhan Sabha polls.
Emerging Lessons
Secular vote base emerges strongly
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AAP’s win—especially in urban polling areas—shows that representing only one religious/sectional group is no longer enough to win elections.
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By and large, secular political tendencies are gaining stronger acceptance in Punjab, although exceptions exist.
Party-switching now widely accepted
Bhagwant Mann’s position strengthens
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It was Bhagwant Mann who brought Harmeet Sandhu into the party.
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Mann was also the main star campaigner.
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His position within both the government and the party is now expected to strengthen further.
Shiromani Akali Dal & Sukhbir Badal’s Political Re-entry
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Though AAP won the seat, the political battle was won by the Akali Dal and Sukhbir Badal.
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Finishing second in such a tight contest is a major achievement for the party.
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It indicates that the revival process of the Akali Dal has begun.
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Tarn Taran has re-energised Akali voters and workers—creating renewed hope for 2027.
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Many leaders and grassroots workers who had drifted away may now return to Sukhbir Badal, as the New Akali Dal’s very relevance and survival is likely to be questioned.
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The trend started by Jagdeep Singh Cheema and Ranjit Singh Gill, who moved to the BJP or other parties, may now stop with the renewed hope of an Akali Dal revival.
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Some Congress leaders may also show fresh interest in the Akali Dal.
Hardliners May Emerge as the Third Force, May Pose Challenge in 2027
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Mandeep Singh of ‘Waris Punjab De’ lost, but securing 16% votes and finishing third is significant.
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It shows that a hardline Sikh ideological space continues to exist as a third political force in Punjab.
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Though the base has shrunk, it may continue to pose a challenge for mainstream parties in 2027, particularly the SAD.
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The stronger the moderate Akali leadership, the weaker this radical bloc becomes.
Congress in Deep Crisis — Fourth Position, Deposit Lost, Leadership Change Inevitable
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Congress finished fourth in Tarn Taran—its candidate even lost the deposit.
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This marks a major turning point, weakening Congress’s position as the principal opposition in Punjab.
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The result clearly signals that Punjab Congress leadership must change—Raja Warring’s exit now seems almost certain.
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This defeat may intensify internal factional fights within the Punjab Congress.
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The Congress High Command will now have to reconsider its entire strategy for Punjab.
A Big Blow to BJP – Akali–BJP Alliance Issue Can Be Raised Again
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Voting patterns in Tarn Taran show that even the majority of urban Hindu votes did not go to the BJP—the party lost its deposit.
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BJP’s vote share has fallen further compared to the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
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BJP’s claim of being a “strong force” and contesting the 2027 elections alone to form the government has become weak.
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Political circles believe BJP was testing which Akali faction has public acceptance—Sukhbir Badal passed that test.
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BJP must now reconsider whether it can realistically contest 2027 without the Akali Dal.
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The views of BJP leaders like Sunil Jakhar, who advocate for a Shiromani Akali Dal–BJP alliance, may now carry more weight.
Baljit Balli
Editor-In-Chief,
Babushahi Network
Tirchhi Nazar Media
Nov 14, 2025
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Baljit Balli, Editor-In-Chief, Babushahi Network Tirchhi Nazar Media
tirshinazar@gmail.com
Phone No. : +91 9915177722
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