SAD FOR CONGRESS

Chandigarh, February 27, 2007-  Upholding convention, the Punjab voter favoured a change, giving the SAD-BJP alliance a chance to govern the state after a fierce electoral battle.

With 45 per cent of voters below 35 years of age, many old warhorses of the SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress were defeated.

While the Akalis led by three-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal survived some anxious contests to improve its tally of 2002 by eight to 48, its alliance partner BJP roared to success in 19 constituencies against two (initially three) seats it held in the outgoing House, giving the combine a total of 68 out of 116.

While 44 sitting MLAs, including ministers, of the Congress have lost election, 21 sitting MLAs of the SAD have been defeated.

For the BJP it has been its biggest ever tally in Punjab, the previous best being 18 in 1997. At that time SAD had 75 legislators in the 93-member ruling alliance.

Parkash Singh Badal, who was projected as chief ministerial candidate by the alliance, is expected to be sworn in as the head of the new government later this week for a fourth term.

Knowing full well that it holds the key to the formation of the Badal-led government, the Bharatiya Janata Party, will stake claim for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

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