Congress is clearly on the back foot on the issue of corruption owing to various charges of graft on the party-led coalition in the Centre. What has been more worrisome has been the party’s inability to defend itself against the allegations including of inaction on the issue of Lokpal.

On the other side, the SAD-BJP combine fares no better as a number of BJP ministers are facing corruption charges. The public debt of the state is at record high of about 75000 crores. The Rs 18 crore paddy scam involving SAD leader Jagtar Singh Rajeana’s son Mandeep Singh Brar will also haunt the ruling combine. SAD-BJP combine may also feel the heat of Rs 6 crore scam in the Shagun Scheme of Punjab government.

The SAD too faced embarrassment when the Lokpal ordered an inquiry into a complaint pertaining to the illegal plying of AC buses owned by family of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.