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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