In the past, both Congress and Akali Dal have been getting away with not doing enough development in the past, but the previous SAD-BJP government has shown that development will win votes. Let's look at what makes this 2012 election interesting:

- This is the first time ever has a party won Punjab twice in a row. This is major. It shows that the majority people of Punjab have been disappointed every 5 years from what the government did, and always chose the other one.

- 78% polling. This shows how much Punjab votes. These numbers are amazing considering in America, only about 63% vote (in 2008).

- BJP actually lost their seats, so they were a weak link for the Akali Dal. There are a lot of corrupt people in the BJP. This gives Akali Dal even more pressure in avoiding the corrupt leaders of BJP in the future. The amazing thing is Akali Dal did not even need BPJ to win this election, they won it by themselves.

- Akali Dal did not use religious tactics to earn votes like they do previously. Usually Akali Dal plays the religious card to get votes, but this year, they've actually launched projects to show development:
- Bhai Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial (Chapar Chiri)
- Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex (Anandpur Sahib)
- Kabaddi World Cup
- Electricity schemes for farmers
- Food schemes for poor

I think that even if Akali Dal doesn't do enough the next 5 years, the bar has been set high... that development will win votes. The message is clear to the leaders and the voters.