Experience shows, however, that resentments and tensions begin to grow among the locals whenever the size of migrant population grows beyond a point, when they begin to buy small portions of land and petty businesses, and most of all, when they begin to nurture political ambitions as well.

All this is happening in Punjab. In the long run, the altered demographic composition of the state can have serious implications for social and political order. What multicultural policies and administrative measures are required to avert social conflict in the years to come? Is either of the two parties seriously addressing this issue?

Given that neither party has a well-defined position on these issues, I am not looking at the forthcoming elections with great hope or anxiety. But I do wish that serious political debate on these issues gets started once the electoral dust settles down.

The writer is professor of political science at Panjab University, Chandigarh