In a recent interview, Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann emphasized the critical importance of these elections, drawing parallels to Russia under Putin and warning against the erosion of opposition voices. AAP candidate from Jalandhar, Pawan Tinu, echoed these sentiments, stating that the upcoming elections would reshape history and determine who stood by the Constitution amid threats to democracy.
Similarly, Congress candidate from Patiala, Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, urged voters to oust the BJP to preserve India’s democratic setup and prevent the country from slipping into single-party dictatorship. Manish Tewari, the Congress candidate from Chandigarh, warned of the country’s return to a dangerous political predicament, similar to that faced in 1947, and the need to safeguard India’s secular and democratic republic.
In contrast, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has been appealing to voters to support regional parties like SAD, arguing that they are better equipped to protect state interests and strengthen federalism. SAD leader Parambans Singh Bunty Romana highlighted the party’s track record in bringing development to Punjab and emphasized the importance of protecting Sikh rights.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dismissed the narrative created by the INDIA bloc constituents, asserting that democracy is not under threat and that people have the freedom to vote as they wish. Former Congress leader and BJP’s Patiala candidate, Preneet Kaur, urged voters not to be misled by the opposition’s rhetoric.
The Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held in a single phase on June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. The outcome of these elections will have a profound impact on the future of democracy and federalism in India.
