At a time when AAP is trying to reignite its promise of 2014, the SAD-BJP is working hard on the ground and the Congress is doing exactly the same politics that the BJP is doing in the rest of the country, how are journalists reading the tea leaves? We stay away from the dangerous business of predictions, but try to understand the distilled wisdom of the pundits. Our panellists mince no words, well, most of the time.

In the country, the BJP is not fighting on what it did in five years. In Punjab, the Congress is not fighting on what it did in the two years of being in power. The past is being sold as the present, and often even as our future. But Punjab is a little unique: It missed the Modi wave in 2014, saw the AAP wave at the time, but is keeping everyone guessing now. However, it still does not seem like returning to the traditional two-party game.

Panellists Tarlochan Singh, Sr Journalist, Punjabi Tribune, Baljit Balli Editor, Babushahi.com and Sarabjit Singh Dhaliwal, Head, Dainik Savera, Punjab join SP Singh in deconstructing Punjab election scenario 2019.

How is 2019 is different for AAP? Are these elections a test for the Amarinder Singh government? Why is the anti-incumbency factor so strong in just two years? How come Balakot air strikes are not much of an argument in Punjab? What role will the three new parties — Punjabi Ekta Party (PEP); Nava Punjab Party (NPP); SAD(Taksali) – play? How the candidates will even be jostling for the number 2 position since the real contest of 2022 Assembly elections is coming up.

The panellists discuss how do they see the Congress’ announcement that it will participate in the SGPC elections. They talk about the impending flurry of by-elections in Punjab and the missing engagement with the women demographic, even when Punjab’s young educated women have been putting up a spirited fight against the patriarchal value system. Also missing is an engagement with the persistent struggle of activists on the ground like those of the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee, Aanganwadi workers, Mid-day meal cooks, Aasha workers, and MNREGA workers.