Is Congress Party out of Woods in Punjab ?

Chandigarh: The political Pundits  are pondering over the latest Change of Guard in Punjab, dropping  Capt. Amarinder Singh as Chief Minister and  installing Charanjit Singh Channi in his place in an attempt to halt the long-running  turmoil in the State; essentially caused by  confusion over Navjyot Sidhu-Capt. Amarinder Singh relations till date. Some may call it a ‘master stroke’  by Congress High Command  (pseudonym for Sonia-Rahul Gandhi duo in Congress Head Quarters), yet it seems not more than  hit-and-trial  jugaad solution !

‘Dalit-card stroke’ was stumbled upon after the offer was rejected by veteran Congress leader Ambika Soni, then shuffling the Chief Minister’s chair  amongst various  political hues of Sidhu, Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and ultimately the winner Charanjit Singh Channi. Had it been a policy update for Dalit face, Channi should have been the first candidate choice.

The latest   change in the State Congress party is a result of  four year old heat in the party caused by admittance  of cricketer-turned politician Navjyot Singh Sidhu in the Party about five years ago. Sidhu was fielded from Amritsar assembly seat, which he won comfortably but caused uncomfortable strains for Chief Minister. He was recently installed as State Party President replacing veteran Sunil Jakhar, son of late  Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar. That was also a balancing effort by appointing 4 Acting Vice Presidents alongside PCC Sidhu. Central leadership must have taken the step to keep CM led faction in check and furbish party’s image before  forthcoming  assembly elections in early 2022. But politically that was not a  better solution, causing  more factions  than only  two.

Through this ‘coach shunting’ operation, the Party has achieved some solace having  removed incumbent CM  Capt. Amarinder Singh, who had gathered much discomfort among party workers, own ministers and a section of state public; though created simmering discontent  among  half a dozen factions in  the 80 member Legislative Party. Public may be  smelling a better concoction of political alternatives; from AAP, Akali Dal, BSP,  BJP or more to come by,  in the next four and a half  months, targeting a majority in 120 member Assembly.

Captain Amarinder Singh’s future moves are yet to unfold. He has underlined security situation in the border state of Punjab and highlighted Navjyot Sidhu’s  bonhomie with anti-India forces.    He has indicated his displeasure  over the way he was  humiliated over a period and that his future options are open. The roadmap ahead for the oldest political party in Punjab is  full of thorns and strife.  The ministry formation keeping old brigade out, yet  in good humour will be a  difficult ropewalk for the new Sidhu-Channi  combine.  Major opposition parties, with crafty  AAP leadership, old jat-kisan lobby of Badals, who have often been on top  for over 70 years since Independence. It will be a herculean  task to bring party back to power in the State.  Though Bhartiya Janata Party has little sake in the state,  yet being a largest national party in power at Centre, it may come up with some surprise appeals and slogans to claim its pie..!