AAP dents votebank of both national parties, emerges as force to reckon with

The campaign of AAP in Chandigarh got off to a rocky start. The party that was struggling in the absence of an organisational structure and was fighting dissensions, first named Savita Bhatti, wife of the late actor Jaspal Bhatti, as its candidate. This sparked much resentment, as she was chosen in preference to around 200 aspirants who had applied for the ticket.

Bhatti could not cope with it and stepped down. This was when the party selected Panag as its candidate. She worked tirelessly, taking everybody along. Her energetic style of campaigning won her many followers. Panag followed a punishing schedule, working from early morning till late night.

It was believed that mainly the urban voters would support her, but it now emerges that she got good votes even in the villages and colonies. What also went in her favour was that she was extended support by the CPI unit in the city as well as by some Sikh organisations.

Panag said that she was happy that every fourth resident of the city voted for her party. Starting from scratch, the party has put up a good show. If it can consolidate and build upon the support it has got, the party could emerge as a serious contender in the municipal corporation elections which are scheduled to be held two years from now.