Speculations stirred high since Punjab Chief MinisterCapt Amarinder Singh had met the three-member Congress Panel to resolve theparty’s internal feud.
In the three-hour-long meeting, CM Capt Amarinder Singhhas tabled the performance of his party leaders which includes the mutiny’sconduct against him. According to sources, CM went to the meeting carrying dossierson a few ministers in his hands to show their alleged involvement in illicitactivities.
However, whatever remains the matter of discussion, thesignificant part of the deliberation was the roadmap of Assembly Electionswhich are scheduled to take place in February-March in 2022.
Reportedly, Capt’s plan for the upcoming electionsprojected numerous methodologies to improve the financial status of Punjabalong with the party’s achievements in the past years and what policies will beenforced to hold the confidence of Punjabis in the Congress.
This was the one side of the talks ascricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu, who met the high-powered panel daysbefore CM, is also said to have put forth his roadmap for the upcoming stateelections.
As per the reports, Sidhu has given various ways in whichthe state’s revenue could be boosted to make it self-reliant. The liquorbusiness, from which the state collects the revenue of Rs 5000 crore must beowned and controlled by the government to escalate profits, suggested Sidhu.
Sidhu further opined that control of sand businessoperations must also be taken from the private owners and the government shouldrun it. This will also help the State government to encourage revenue. If thePunjab Congress abides by Sidhu’s plans, he believes that government wouldbecome self-reliant and will handle various socio-economic developmentalprojects without the intervention of the Centre govt.
Though leaders tabled their roadmaps of the 2022elections, the question persists, under whose patronage the election will becontested?
It is to be reiterated here, Congress panel is yet tosubmit its report to the High Commission, which would decide the party’sfuture. Though various Congress leaders have formed a rebellious group againstCM Capt, a major proportion of ministers and leaders want the AssemblyElections 2022 to be contested under Capt’s leadership.
Perhaps, the High Command’s youth leaders including RahulGandhi and Priyanka Gandhi do not want the present Punjab CM to be the face forthe upcoming elections and pitch for Sidhu.
Even though, Navjot Sidhu shares a cordial relation withyoung Gandhi leaders, AICC chief Sonia Gandhi wants CM Capt Amarinder Singh’simage to stand tall in both Congress and Punjab.
The rationale behind this is Punjab CM is among one ofthe senior party leaders who has established his and the party’s image at thedomestic as well as the international level. Also, CM Capt is considered one ofthe eminent leaders who can shape the future of Congress in a better way.
Earlier in 2012, when Punjab Congress had to face defeatin Vidhan Sabha elections, which were contested under the leadership of CaptAmarinder Singh, camps against Capt were opened in the party. Later in 2013,Rahul Gandhi handed over the party’s baton to Partap Singh Bajwa.
However, turning Capt down from the positions might seemruthless; he utilized that time frame to re-establish himself for the nextelections. Similar to the present scenario, Partap Bajwa before the 2017 electionscame in open rebellion against Capt and started anticipating that High Commandwould make him run for the chief ministerial candidature.
Fearing another setback in the 2017 elections, SoniaGandhi among other senior party leaders had to convince Rahul Gandhi and PartapBajwa to create space for Capt in Punjab Congress. And it was then when CM Captannounced this election under his patronage will be his last.
Nevertheless, once again, Capt Amarinder Singh is leadingthe camp of Assembly elections as he has already started low-key campaigningfor it. This time, Navjot Sidhu is to be credited to challenge Capt’sconscience after leveling allegations on him.
Retaining Sidhu in the party is as significant as givingthe baton to Capt Amarinder Singh for the 2022 elections because the HighCommand cannot bear to see Congress’s shattered image in the state which stillreposes faith in the party.
Reiterating here, Congress High Command seems to havelearned a lesson from the blunders due to which Himanta Biswa Sarma andJyotiraditya Scindia abandoned the party.