'After West Bengal, attempts to polarise votes in Punjab': Navjot Singh Sidhu, PCC chief

In an interaction with Rajmeet Singh, the Pradesh Congress Committee chief terms the recent incidents of sacrilege and bomb blast an attempt by nefarious forces to break the “socio-economic fabric of Punjabiyat”. From farmers’ foray into politics to his stand being vindicated with the registration of a drugs case against SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia after the removal of the DGP and AG, the PCC chief speaks his mind.

How do you see the recent sacrilege attempts and bomb blast?

There are concerted efforts to break the socio-economic fabric of Punjabiyat. Those who did it in West Bengal are doing so here to polarise votes. It is being done barely a month and half from elections. The incidents over three consecutive days are a deliberate attempt at spreading lies, fear and insecurity in a specific community as part of a larger conspiracy. No one can break the social-economic fabric of Punjab. We are together and will stay together.

Has your stand been vindicated with the registration of an FIR after the removal of DGP and AG?

Yes. Things have started moving gradually with new officers in place. This should have happened earlier. The good will be rewarded and the wrong punished. We should not be playing a fixed match. The politics of fear and division gives way to politics of hope and unity.

Are you happy with CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s performance?

It is a collective responsibility. The CM and PCC chief are part of the larger system. It is not an individual, it is how a system works. We need to revamp the system that honours merit. The system should not kill the majority to benefit a few. We need to build a system where there is no theft and that offers e-governance for the betterment of the people.

Why has the Congress not announced its CM face? Is the leadership listening to your concerns?

They understand. That is why I am the PCC chief. Barring the Sukhbir Badal-led SAD, no one has announced the chief ministerial candidate, not even the AAP, which says will put up a Sikh face. It is for the party high command to decide. We are working day in, day out. There are differences of opinion in parties. We are working on the organisation. It is the essence of democracy. This doesn’t mean everything will be superimposed. It has its advantages and disadvantages.

People will still want know who the CM candidate will be?

That is not an issue. This time people will elect their leader. One may have 100 policies, but I have been talking about 13 issues inspired from Guru Nanak’s teachings. What matters is the character of the person who can deliver on the ground. I talk of politics beyond 2022. The elections are being fought for the next generation.

In the event of Congress winning polls, will the CLP decide the leader?

I am not saying that. There have been occasions where the MLAs say a particular person will make them win the elections. Democracy is what majority feels. The Congress legislature party did not decide the leader last time. The MLAs only voted to remove the previous CM. The MLAs have been there for five years. Now new MLAs are to be elected. It is people’s decision. Last time, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal played a double game by not announcing the CM face for Punjab. People showed him the door and voted the Congress to power. Any party that commits mistake will be taught a lesson by the people.

Will the party increase the number of women candidates this time?

On the directions of party president Sonia Gandhi, Punjab was the first to give 50 per cent representation to women in the civic body elections. Taking cue from Priyanka Gandhi’s announcement on giving 40 per cent seats to women in the UP elections, we will try to give representation to more women. But the decision has to be taken by the party high command.

Your views on farmers’ unions entering politics under one platform?

It is up to them. By entering politics with a roadmap, they can become part of policymaking or can support a political system. Politics is everywhere. Punjab needs politics of hope and bettering people lives. The farmers’ unions have won a great battle fighting the Centre. They got what they wanted. Suicides are still happening. There is a need to have a roadmap to increase farm income. They need to have a revival plan.

What is your take on Keriwal’s announcements?

He is imitating me without applying his mind. He is talking of earning Rs 20,000 crore from sand and gravel, whereas no government can make more than Rs 2,000 crore. He is talking of generating Rs 30,000 crore from the liquor business, whereas he has given the trade to the Ponty Chadha family and blacklisted contactor Deep Malhotra. There is no comparison between Punjab and Delhi. The national capital is a surplus state with Rs 34,000 crore given by Centre. I challenge him to debate with me.