JOIN USAmarinder best bet to revive Cong in Punjab
The ascension of Capt Amarinder Singh as Punjab Congress chief settles few things once and for all. That Amarinder remains the Congresses best bet if Punjab has to be won back from the Badal’s.
His elevation is certification that the Congress grapples with serious internal decay, and that he still holds sway over party politics, right up to 10 Janpath.
The Congress sees hope in Amarinder’s leadership record and mass appeal to win Punjab. Despite his tantrums, from indications of exiting the party to criticising Rahul on organisational matters, the party could not afford to annoy him.
His triumph over BJP leader Arun Jaitley from Amritsar and then ensuring a win in the bypoll for his wife Preneet Kaur, the first time in 8 years, proved his mettle.
He has been missing from the Lok Sabha, despite his second-in-command post, much of the time touring Punjab’s villages trying to reconnect with the people.
Punjab has seen much of personality driven elections. Amarinder knows that it is foolish to undermine opponents and his task is beyond curtailing the Badals.
The Akali’s have their own fault lines and anti-incumbency factor to worry about, but greenhorn Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is a formidable challenge for Amarinder.
If the AAP, grappling with factionalism and erosion of cadre, decides to experiment by avoiding a leadership mascot in Punjab, it may suffer in polls that has often resonated with personalities here.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is unlikely to be the mascot in Punjab. For Amarinder, it signal's a relief as the AAP has done little politics without Kejriwal.
The only place the AAP can pick up its 117 leaders is from the socio-cultural space, second rung leaders and by fielding people who are not standard politicians.
If Punjab turns out to be another clash of personalities around elections, the AAP could possibly land up as the third player. But if Punjab throws up a different option of new politics, a grand coalition of sorts, the AAP could have the advantage of a newcomer.
Politics in Punjab is fluid as of now. A fourth dimension, too, exists. The hordes that came in the aftermath of incidents of sacrilege, clemency row and more, have still not gone home.
A strong undercurrent exists. The emergence of a Sikh fourth front could be a possibility turning Punjab into a multi-cornered contest.
Whether or not, Punjab is hiding its verdict in wait-and-watch scenario, Amarinder’s task is cut out. For now, he assumes the role as one who can take on the Badal’s, square the circle within his party and infuse confidence in his new team.