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Partap Bajwa sets the trigger demanding Amarinder-free Punjab. Hard times for Capt Amarinder Singh?

Image result for images of Capt Amarinder singh with partap singh bajwa"




Chandigarh: The simmering disquiet within the ruling Congress in Punjab against Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has finally surfaced with former state party chief and Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa demanding “Amarinder-free Punjab”.
He gave vent to his feelings in an interview to a web TV portal on Monday.
He called for exit of Capt Amarinder Singh for what he asserted was his failure to even keep up the promises during the last three years thereby providing space to Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal to revive his party.
It is pertinent to mention here that several party MLAs have come out openly against the functioning of the state government during the last few months, especially in Patiala, the home district of Capt Amarinder Singh.
Capt Amarinder Singh and Bajwa have never maintained cordial relations. It was Capt Amarinder Singh who at one time had launched campaigned against him when Bajwa headed the state Congress and succeeded in his removal. It was Capt Amarinder Singh who replaced him.
Now the roles have been reversed. It is Bajwa who has demanded the change.
Bajwa in particular mentioned the Power Purchase Agreements entered into by The Akali Dal government that are now bleeding Punjab. The Congress had been promising to renegotiate the same after holding inquiry. Nothing has been done. Ironically, it is Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal who  is now on the offensive on the issue of repeated hikes in power tariff rooted in these very PPAs that favour the power generation companies.
Till the recent firing of salvos by Badal, It is a section within the ruling Congress that has virtually been the main opposition to Capt Amarinder Singh. Amarinder’s political moves are now dictated by the situation within the Congress, rather than the Akali Dal or the Aam Aadmi Party.
He succeeded in placating one section of angry MLAs by accommodating them as his advisers but the situation on the ground has not changed. The Congress workers and activists stand alienated from their government. It is the bureaucracy that is in total control and this has been the major grouse. The Congress people at the grassroots don’t own their own government.
This situation has repeatedly been brought to the notice of Capt Amarinder Singh but the situation remains the same.
The basic issue after this eruption is whether Bajwa has opened the front at his own or he has the blessings of some people in the so called high command.
The Congress in Punjab has been on the winning spree but towards the end of third year of this government, the situation has started changing with the Akali Dal showing signs of revival despite revolt by leaders like Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and his son Parminder Singh Dhindsa against dictatorial functioning of Sukhbir and Badal family control over the party.
Bajwa has demanded Amarinder-Mukt Punjab within days of Capt Amarinder Singh saying that he was there to stay till the last unemployed youth gets the appointment. The statement was politically loaded. He had given put the signal loud and clear that he is in total control and was not bothered about his detractors.
With Bajwa coming out into the open, the terms of factional fight have changed.
Wait for the next move from Capt Amarinder Singh.

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