People’s concerns in Punjab are not so called security threat to leaders but those of governance

 

 

People’s concerns in Punjab are not so called security threat to leaders but governance

Ground Zero

 

Nothing suits Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh better than his long time detractor in his own party Partap Singh Bajwa prioritising his so called personal security issues over that  of governance in the ongoing tussle between the two.

The security threat to leaders in Punjab from top to bottom is more of a bogey. Raising this bogey from time to time facilitates the security forces from getting more funds. This should be  reduced to half beginning with the top in a single stroke.

Even small time political leaders-dealers in Punjab enjoy security cover that is more of a status symbol. The strength of security to a leader is now also measured by the level of  security umbrella.

Partap Singh Bajwa is a Rajya Sabha member. He was replaced as the state Congress chief by Capt Amarinder Singh before the 2017 Lok Sabha elections.

Punjab is witnessing running debate between the two leaders over the security detail of Bajwa that had been triggered by spurious liquor deaths.

The basic issue has been governance. Capt Amarinder Singh out-sourced governance from day one. At times even state Congress chief Sunil Jakhar felt hurt and humiliated.

The latest case is that of the ministers protesting against then chief secretary Karan Avtar Singh who was about to retire. Capt Amarinder Singh rather suitably accommodated him. Retired bureaucrats have been given the jobs that should have  gone to the political leaders.

Here is the government that is characterised transparent corruption.

The ironic part is there is virtually no opposition in the state. The Shiromani Akali Dal is finally making efforts to revive itself but the concerns of its leadership are different and not pro-people. Farmers are protesting at their own. Aam Aadmi Party that had been given the mandate by the people to function as the main opposition disintegrated within months.

Punjab is one state where space exists for another alternative. It has been so since 2012. The people talk about this situation all the more now. The people continue to be let down by the political class.

It seemed that finally, the opposition was emerging from within the Congress. However, the debate has been diverted to security issues.

Punjab represents a strange situation.

Capt Amarinder Singh’s government might be outsourced one in which there is little involvement of the Congress. At the political level, however, there is no challenge to him going by the results of Lok Sabha elections and all the Assembly bye-elections. The Congress under his command continues to get the mandate of the people.

At the same time, it can be said that Punjab was one state that could have facilitated the return of the Congress at the national level by providing better governance. Presently, this is the most stable government of the Congress in the country despite Bajwa supported by another leader Shamsher Singh Dullo trying to challenge Capt Amarinder Singh. Dullo too is a Rajya Sabha member and a former PPCC chief.

Basic to the discourse is the issues that concern the people.

The mafia in every trade has only survived.

Now a district judge has given the report that extortion by the mining mafia continues. This report is the most damning indictment of the state government at one level.

The government went into action only when 118 people were killed recently due to spurious liquor. Capt Amarinder Singh had promised to introduce new excise policy.

The situation in Punjab calls for total overhaul. A recent study had pointed out that the bureaucracy in Punjab is amongst the most corrupt in the country. The corrupt bureaucracy also suits the political class, irrespective of the party.

Punjab is different from Rajasthan as there is no other centre of power. Bajwa and Dullo at best can only be dissenters. They too have a role to play by way of shaking up the political system in the state.

Can the people expect a change in the situation?

Punjab needs a strong opposition to function as a check on the government to bring about a change.