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Punjab continues to set new trends with even candidates leaving the party

 


AAP and Congress in Punjab rocked by major turbulence, Akali Dal playing safe

Ground Zero

 

Jagtar Singh

 

Punjab is springing surprises, setting new trends and at the moment, seems to be defying the psephologists.

AAP was today hit by an unprecedented development that at one level can also be termed as hilarious. The ruling Congress is confronted with rebellion. The Akali Dal has the advantage of a strong cadre base. The two other players are still shaping up.

It is normal for people to revolt against denial of ticket.

In the case of AAP, it is the candidate who has resigned from the party while levelling several allegations, including raising questions on its origin.

AAP’s candidate from Ferozepur (Rural)  Ashu Bangar today left the party saying that its leadership did not trust the  Punjabis. He reinforced his assertion citing the functioning of its incharge from Delhi Raghav Chadha who is behaving more like the Punjab party president thereby marginalising the incumbent, in this case Bhagwant Mann.

It may be mentioned here that parties like the Congress and BJP too have people deputed by the central leadership but they prefer to operate from behind the scene.

In a letter released to the media, he raised the issue of origin of the anti-corruption movement , and thereby AAP, which on the surface was led by Anna Hazare but designed by Vivekananda International Foundation, a Delhi based body associated with the RSS, the parent body of the BJP. Kejriwal and several of his associates were part of that movement. AAP emerged from that movement.

The parallel in recent times is the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha that is the product of the massive Punjab-led farmers struggle that forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take back the three contentious farm laws opposed by the farmers in agriculturally the most advanced regions. This struggle had originated in Punjab. This, however, is the only similarity.

AAP is perceived to use the same symbols and the BJP.

AAP earlier went into confrontation with the SSM alleging it was the design of the BJP. Farm leaders, particularly Balbir Singh Rajewal, had earlier been in talks with AAP to negotiate alliance but it did not materialise.

It is AAP that is the most rattled by the decision of the SSM to field candidates on all the 117 seats.

AAP in 2017 had won mainly from  the rural dominated seats. Moreover, AAP used to be claiming to extend logistic support to the farmer struggle at the gates of Delhi.

The situation in the Congress too seems to be getting out of hand with revolt being reported in several seats.

Even Dr. Nirmal Singh, brother of Chief Minster Charanjit Singh Channi, has announced his decision to try his luck as independent after denial of ticket from Bassi Pathana. Mohinder Singh Kaypee, yet another relative of the Chief Minister, has raised the banner of revolt.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had earlier claimed that his party had refused entry to more than a dozen MLAs from the Congress as his party was not a dustbin.

But then even non-MLA leaders from the Congress have now not only been welcomed but also fielded within hours of joining AAP.

Those from the Congress having been denied ticket are rushing to the BJP led alliance that includes Punjab Lok Congress of Capt Amarinder Singh and Sanyukt Akali Dal of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.

The Akali Dal is by and large having smooth sailing and its campaign too is better organised. The party has the added advantage of a strong cadre base.

However, it is the SSM and the BJP led alliance that holds the key to this crucial election that for the first time is witnessing so many payers.

It is for the first time that so many people and organisations are worried about the future of Punjab and it is for the first time that so many people are competing to improve this situation.

One thing is certain going by the past trend and this is increase in assets of the MLAs, even those not part of the ruling party.

This too should be treated as improvement in Punjab standards, although bit by bit.


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