CHANDIGARH: Khaira Leader of Opposition in a statement issued here said that, although AAP has no hesitation to accept its defeat in the Gurdaspur by election but at the same time psephology and the track record of Punjab by elections clearly indicates, that it is the ruling party which always wins these elections “Jis di lathi, Uss di bhains”. 

Khaira stated that 11 by elections took place during the last 10 years of SAD-BJP rule namely Dhuri, Talwandi Sabo, Khadur Sahib, Moga, Patiala, Dear Bassi, Amritsar South, Kahnuwan, Dasuya, Nurmahal and Nawanshahar. Mr. Khaira said that the Congress party under the leadership of Capt. Amarinder Singh badly lost 10 of these by elections and was able to win only one seat of Patiala his hometown.

Similarly from 2002 to 2007, 3 by elections were held under the then Capt. Amarinder Singh government namely Malout, Kapurthala and Garhshankar. In this case Mr. Khaira said the SAD-BJP lost all the three elections. Therefore, the track record of by elections is abundantly clear that people tend to vote for the ruling party in order to get their day to day works done.

Mr. Khaira also nipped in the bud some rumors going on that there was a thought within the party not to fight the by election and another thought that Mrs. Kavita Khanna should have been the candidate. Mr. Khaira stated that there was no discussion on this matter within the party into the runup of Gurdaspur by election.

Having said all this Mr. Khaira said that the party would shortly convene a meeting and do deep introspection into the causes of defeat and will try to take best corrective measures. Mr. Khaira appealed to the rank and file of AAP not to loose heart or be demoralized as victory and losses are part of life.