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Editorial

AAP factor worries Punjab Congress, ruling SAD-BJP alliance

August 29, 2015 03:39 PM
Satinder Bains

By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: The fear of Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) is giving sleepless nights to leadership of major political parties in Punjab thus forcing the Congress and the ruling alliance of SAD-BJP to realign their poll strategies for 2017 assembly elections. These parties are also looking for new allies to counter the third player in state politics.

AAP has won four Parliament seats in Punjab during 2014 assembly elections and had almost sweeped the constituencies of
Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot and Patiala won by AAP candidates. Except for Bhagwant Mann who won from Sangrur with a
historical margin, all other three AAP candidates were green horses. They have won the elections defeating the stalwarts like
Sukhdev Singh Dhinda and that too without indulgin in corrupt practices. The Lok Sabha electiosns were an eye opener for the
ruling alliance and for the Congress.

Now while all political parties are getting warmed up for the assembly elections, the AAP too has mobilised its cadre and
launched 'Punjab Joro' campaign to enroll 25 lakh members in a fortnight.The reports said that people were joining AAP
across the state. The intelligence reports with the state government were worrying the ruling alliance of SAD-BJP. The AAP's
popularity in Punjab is reflection of strong undercurrent of anti-incumbency factor. The speculations that Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind Kekriwal may become candidate for Chief Minister's post in Punjab has given boost to party campaign.

The people of state seemsw decisive about the change and obvious choice party is facing leadership crisis and factionalism is
so strong that even party high command is confused on the issue of leadership. PPCC President Partap Singh Bajwa and former
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh are in race to topple each other and there are so many others who are waiting to gain
from their fighting. The Congress had lost assembly elections in 2007 and 2012 contested under the leadership of Capt
Amarinder Singh. Bajwa is poor in his public relation and finding it hard to keep the flock together. Bajwa has blessings of
AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi while Amarinder enjoys the confidence of Sonia Gandhi. Any more delay in resolving the
leadership issue of Congress would be suicidal for the Congress.

The Congress party is now looking for new face to head the state unit, the move which is being opposed by both Bajwa and
Amarinder. None of them is ready to accept the young leader like Ravneet Singh Bittu MP from Ludhiana and Manish Tiwari
former Union Minister and also ex-MP of Ludhiana. Capt Amarinder is keen to appoint his yesman like former minister Lal
Singh. The party reportedly also considered the name of CLP leader Sunil Jakhar to head the party. Both Lal Singh and Tiwari
didnt qualify the caste creteria as none of them is Jat Sikh which is considered an essential qualification for PPCC
president in agriculture state like Punjab. Jagmeet Singh Brar former MP and AICC member who has rejoined the party recently
is also not acceptable to Bajwa and Amarinder.

The Congress is also working on another strategy to pursuade Manpreet Singh Badal former Minister and estranged nephew of
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to join Congress. Manpreet had floated People's Party of Punjab(PPP) and had contested the
2012 assembly elections in alliance with communist parties. His alliance could get about 6 percent seats(four percent by PPP)
and division in opposition votes had ensured the victory of SAD-BJP alliance. A section of political analysts was of the
opinion that Manpreet Badal was planted by Badal family to divide the anti-incumbency vote.

Facing charges of drug menace, illegal mining, monopolising transport business and shielding the goons, the SAD is again
working on the strategy to divide the opposition vote and win the next electons. SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal understood
to have been trying to split the AAP leadership in Punjab and finance some other splinter groups to contest the elections on
anti-Akali Dal plank. Interestingly, Sukhbir Badal learnt to have identified some regional groups and persons who would be
encouraged and supported fron behind to accuse and abuse SAD for all the problems so that they can win over sympathy of
people. These sponsored groups and individuals would oppose the SAD-BJP in elections and filter the opposition votes. Hardly
any efforts are being made by SAD to resolve the issues of public to win over them by good deeds.

The SAD and BJP are also working on cross purposes. The BJP has of late started accusing SAD for spreading drug menace and
ignoring the urban voters. It however may be part of the strategy of SAD and BJP to create urban-rural divide and also
polarise voters on religous lines by raising panthic agenda and let the BJP oppose it.

The AAP on the other hand is trying to consolidate the pro-change votes. The party is getting support from all sections
mainly the opinion makers like NRIs, doctors, lawyers, teachers, writers, women organisations and student bodies.

One can sum up at this stage of time that 2017 assembly election would be an interesting event to watch and these elections
would lay the road map for future of Punjab.

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