Humbly accept people’s mandate in Sangrur bypoll, will continue to work harder: CM Bhagwant Mann

AAP cites low turnout owing to paddy sowing season, scorching heat for party candidate’s defeat in Sangrur bypoll

With the ruling AAP suffering a shock defeat in the Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll on Sunday, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said he humbly accepted the verdict of the people and asserted that he will continue to work harder for progress and prosperity of the state. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said the election result is contrary to its expectations, but it accepts the people’s mandate.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said he humbly accepted the verdict of the people and asserted that he will continue to work harder for progress and prosperity of the state. (HT File)

Addressing a press conference here, AAP Punjab chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang congratulated SAD (A) candidate Simranjit Singh Mann on his victory. He said party candidate Gurmail Singh has lost in a very tough contest and cited the low turnout in the by-election as a major reason for the defeat. “Lakhs of people did not cast their votes amid the ongoing paddy sowing season and extreme heat in Sangrur,” he said.

He said the party’s vote share in this election has only reduced by 2% compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections whereas Akali Dal, Congress and BJP candidates have even failed to secure their security deposits. Stating that the party is not afraid of defeats, Kang said the party will continue to work for the welfare of the people.

“The AAP has seen many such defeats in the past. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, we did not get a single seat in Delhi, but we formed the government by winning 67 out of 70 seats in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections,” he said, adding, “We will learn from this election and come back strong.”