New Delhi, November 7
Although it was slow in launching its campaign in Punjab, the Congress is feeling relatively more confident now as it is banking on factionalism in the Akali Dal ranks to see it through next year’s critical Assembly elections.
The general assessment in the AICC here is that the bitter infighting among the various players in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could prove to be a boon for the Congress, which has managed to paper over its internal differences and present a united front.
The Congress, however, is well aware that despite recovering considerable ground in recent months, the next elections will prove to be a tough contest. Party leaders grudgingly admit that despite his age, Akali leader Prakash Singh Badal commands tremendous respect in the Sikh peasantry and this was reflected in the last Assembly elections when the Akali rural base remained intact despite its overall poor performance.
While this poses a major challenge for the Congress, the ruling party is heartened by the fact that former Chief Minister’s son Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is being projected as the heir apparent, has failed to make the same impact as his father. On the contrary, there is underlying resentment among the Akali Dal cadres over the manner in which young Badal is being promoted.
Insiders of the AICC said till six months ago, it seemed like the Congress would be wiped off in Punjab. The state unit was in the throes of a bitter factional battle, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was under constant attack because of his inaccessibility while his close aides faced corruption charges.
Finding the state unit in disarray and a lack of communication between the party and the government, Mr Janardan Dwivedi, AICC general secretary and in charge of Punjab, cracked the whip and told the warring factions to stop sparring in public and organise joint programmes.
Both party workers and ministers were asked to conduct mass contact programme in all constituencies, an exercise which has already been completed.
