The SAD will now decide on electing its leader here on Thursday and the next chief ministerial candidate will be announced after due consultations with the leadership of its ally, the BJP.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, "It is the people`s confidence in chief minister Parkash Singh Badal`s leadership and the work done by him that led to SAD- BJP victory in Punjab."
While the chief minister said, "I am falling short of words to thank the people of the state", Sukhbir Badal thanked the people of the state "for reposing confidence in the SAD-BJP combine, which created history by repeating a government in the state. "The credit for this victory goes to the people of Punjab," said the chief minister.
Party president Sukhbir Badal said, "People have voted for performance". Badal senior also credited his son Sukhbir for playing a big role in this victory, saying he had put in a lot of hard work to plan their campaign well. "I am fully satisfied with his performance as party president. He has worked really hard and I appreciate that," said Parkash Singh Badal.
Talking about the decimation of Punjab People`s Party (PPP) in the assembly elecvtions, Badal said, "Manpreet has committed a Himalayan blunder and political suicide when he quit the SAD."