- Could Fourth Front Be A Game Changer In Punjab?
- Navjot Sidhu Still Retaining BJP Membership Raises Eyebrows
- Awaz-e-Punjab Announced by Sidhu Adds To Political Intrigue
- New Front Opened Against Kejriwal In Punjab
- Is Some Game Being Played Behind The Curtains?
Tirchi Nazar/ Baljit Balli
The day a new front Awaz-e-Punjab proposed by Navjot Sidhu, Pargat Singh and Bains brothers appeared on Facebook in the form of a poster, the babushahi.com broadcast a news post with heading ‘Navjot Sidhu’s new front muddles up politics in Punjab’ because it lacked clarity about the proposed front. It was expected that Sidhu and his associates would come out with details of what was left unsaid about this new initiative in coming days but in his news conference at Chandigarh on September 8, 2016 as Sidhu provided answers to queries on some issues, he also created more intrigue giving rise to new questions and doubts about the idea behind the formation of this new front.
Sidhu attacked ruling Badals’ clan for their decade-long misrule while accusing it of dictatorial governance and financial exploitation of the state. He termed the clan’s business activities as symbol of looting the state’s coffers; compared Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, the head of the clan, with Dhritrashtra, the blind king in the epic of Mahabharata. In a comparably softer way, he then shifted his line of attack and accused Punjab Congress unit president Capt. Amarinder Singh of playing a friendly political match with Badal a few months ahead of coming state Assembly polls.
He also claimed that the Congress chief had sent some people to persuade him to join his party fold but he turned down these political overtures. But Sidhu was at his fiercest best when it came to train guns on the AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. He compared AAP under Kejriwal with the East India Company alleging that he too wanted to loot Punjab. He alleged AAP was an anarchist outfit which was trying to grab power to rule over 1.50 crore people of Punjab in the garb of democracy.
But when came the turn of his parent party BJP, Sidhu ran out of ammunition. His criticism of the BJP leadership was in the complaining tone of a jilted lover. Interestingly, he repeatedly referred to BJP as “meri apni party”. Though obliquely, he admitted that he was yet to resign from its membership. It is worth noting that reaction of BJP’s Punjab affairs incharge Prabhat Jha on Zee TV to formation of this new front betrayed an approving tone.
It was a coincidence that while Sidhu was announcing the formation of the front at the Press Club, Chandigarh along with Pargat Singh and Bains brothers, at the same time, his legislator wife Dr.Navjot Kaur Sidhu was participating in meeting of Akali-BJP Legislative Party as its disciplined member. The meeting held at Vidhan Sabha complex was being presided over by Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal. Surprisingly, Dr.Sidhu, known for her public outbursts against Badals, has been keeping a low profile for the past some time.
Taking an overall view of the entire news conference made interesting with his trademark poetic flavor, Sidhu devoted its 50 percent time to SAD, Badal clan, Congress, Capt.Amarinder Singh and BJP and the rest to target Kejriwal and AAP. It seems that if at all any political leader who would have felt elated over Sidhu’s news conference, it surely must be PM Modi Ji.
After learning about Sidhu’s views in the mainstream media including its online compatriots, one of my businessman friend called me over phone to know what could be the fate of Sidhu led front? On being asked by me to spell out his understanding first, he remarked quit intriguingly that to him “it seems as if Sidhu has been sent to Punjab by Mahashas.” He implied RSS when he said Mahashas. Such questions are natural to arise even as Sidhu enjoys celebrity status; politician with a clean image; his appeal among youth and the record of taking on Badals.
Sidhu proclaimed that Awaz-e-Punjab was a pro-Punjab forum, not a political party as yet. He called upon all like-minded people in all political parties and committed to Punjab and Punjabiyat to join the forum but did not open all his cards.
First of all, Sidhu and his wife are still members of the BJP and have no hesitation in presenting themselves so. Secondly, the BJP is alliance partner in the Badal led state government and Sidhu is silent about its performance in the government. Thirdly, Sidhu has launched a direct and ho-holds-barred attack on Kejriwal. Fourthly, the shape of his front is not clear yet. What is the political programme on the basis of which this front will acquire a shape? Whether it will become a political party or not? Whether it will contest polls alone or reach some understanding with others? Who will be its chief ministerial face? What will be its approach towards those politicians who fail to get tickets in other parties and join the front with the intention of seeking tickets?
Even as this front lacks any shape at the moment, but it looks like that in the first phase it may attract all those leaders who have parted ways with Kejriwal and his party. In coming days, more rebels from AAP who fail to get tickets in the next round of the tickets distribution, may also join it. Sucha Singh Chhotepur, his associates and Swaraj Party may be among them. It is not clear yet as to which could be other groups and politicians jumping on to the front’s bandwagon. It is interesting to note that United Akali Dal led by Bhai Mohkam Singh has already announced its support to the Sidhu led front. He is the same leader and the party who has been termed as extremist by Sukhbir Badal to target Kejriwal.
In politics, no situation lasts long. There is a possibility of the front getting public response against SAD-BJP alliance, Congress and AAP provided its programme, goal and working is transparent, its leadership is mature and is seen working in the public interest. It may win public support if it is able to focus on the basic issues affecting the people of Punjab and presents itself as qualitatively different in its approach as compared to traditional rulers and politicians. But the moot question is: will it able to do so in just 4-5 months before polls are due?
Here the point to be noted is that Chhotepur along with all others who have risen against Kejriwal are only after his blood. It looks as if they all consider Kejriwal as theirs and Punjab’s main political enemy who must be dislodged from the seat of power. They seem to have forsaken the issues of ousting Badals, drugs, corruption, unemployment, farmers and others related to the people.
It is a fact that the happenings over past some time have caused a dent in the reputation of AAP. The personal image of its leaders and that of the party has suffered. The factionalism within has come to the fore. This has raised several doubts and questions in the minds of its supporters and public at large. The avoidable confrontation with Chhotepur seems to have cost dear to its Delhi leadership. Of course, the resultant situation has caused some relief to Akali-BJP and Congress leadership in Punjab.
But in spite of this, the AAP has a considerable volunteers and public support base in the state which is still harbouring anti-establishment and anti-Badal sentiment. The massive farmers rally on September 11 at Baghapurana addressed by Kejriwal is a clear indication of this.
Will Kejriwal succeed in regaining any loss of support AAP has suffered in the state by redrawing his strategy? Will he be able to effectively remove the outsider tag and impression of Delhi versus Punjab? Will he be able to counter the impression of aspiring to become CM of Punjab by presenting some other Punjabi face? Or will he be able to prevent likely rebellion and resultant possible dent in the party structure after the next round of the tickets distribution? These questions beg to be answered.
On the whole, the situation in Punjab in run up to 2017 Assembly polls has become all the more confusing with the announcement of new front by Sidhu and his associates. As its natural fallout, the continuing confusion is likely to favour the ruling alliance and the Congress. The political battleground will take time to offer a clearer view.
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Baljit Balli, Editor, Babushahi.com
tirshinazar@gmail.com
Phone No. : +91 9915177722
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