India, May 25 -- Opposition leaders in Punjab have accused the ruling party of orchestrating widespread electoral malpractices during the ongoing municipal polls, including mass rejection of nomination papers. The rejection of over 700 nomination papers has evoked widespread protests.

However, this is not something new for Punjab. During the SAD-BJP regime (2007 to 2017), the Congress raised similar charges against the government. Under the Congress rule (2017 to 2022), the Akalis and AAP cried foul against the party in power. Today, the AAP finds itself facing the very allegations it once hurled at others.

For over two decades, the playbook of political parties in Punjab has remained unchanged: When in Opposition, loudly proclaim the n...