Punjab Elections: Issues that matter

Punjab goes to the polls on January 30 and analysts are predicting a defeat for the BJP Akali Dal combine. But the lack of fresh ideas from the opposition and a jaded public mood means there is still cause for cheer.

The Punjab polls are to be held on January 30 and election fever is gripping the state.

However, Chief Minister Parkash Badal has more than a few worries, as the BJP candidates face a slew of corruption charges.
Corruption aside, the party also faces a threat from Manpreet Badal. The former finance minister has left the BJP to form his own party. He could be a factor in the polls.
Farmers, a big vote-bank in Punjab, are also not too happy with the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine. The government proposal to set up a power plant in Gobindpura village has run into trouble when farmers refused to part with 100 acres of land. This could be a big electoral issue for the Congress.

Lack of infrastructure hinders agricultural growth and sloppy implementation of social schemes has hurt the ruling party's popularity.
But the Congress's failure to come up with anything new suggests the negative mood could affect all parties. However, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh says he is optimistic that the anti-incumbency vote will work in his party's favour.