United Congress rides on Charanjit Singh Channi's work

Rajmeet Singh

Chandigarh, February 18

With just a day left for polling for the Assembly elections, the Congress is facing the double challenge of its leaders resolving differences and stiff competition from the AAP and BJP-led NDA trying to spoil its plot.

Party insiders admit the day-to-day change in political equations, has pushed up the anxiety levels of poll managers. Multiple factors in the five-way contest could prove to be a serious challenge to the party in reaching the magic mark of 59. With Navjot Sidhu stepping back from proactive campaigning across the state, the party is banking on CM Channi’s performance to retain power.

Poll strategists are analysing the impact of the recent controversy wherein CM Channi asked people of Punjab to reject the outsiders from UP, Bihar and Delhi, on Punjabis and migrant voters in the state, though he has clarified it was aimed at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

CM Channi is confident of getting re-elected based on his 111-day performance. The party thinks people are convinced that it delivers what it promises. Party feels the pro-AAP narrative in the air was just a repeat of what happened in the 2017 elections. “People will vote for a stable government,” he said.

Party insiders point out there was an initial wave in favour of CM Channi after the imposition of the model code of conduct on January 8, based on his performance. But controversies over ticket distribution and ED raids on Channi’s nephew did give tense moments to the party.

Punjab affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary says the Congress had given reason to Punjabis to see through the designs of the AAP and BJP, which were trying to rule the state from outside.