What happened to senior BJP leaders?

As the date of Punjab assembly elections is nearing the political activities are increasing manifold. Recently, senior and veteran BJP Madan Mohan Mittal has joined Shiromani Akali Dal, led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. Mittal who is a former Punjab minister, had once led the State BJP in Punjab. He took his decision to the SAD (B) after he was denied the party ticket. Political observers believe that Mittal’s exit from BJP may upset the poll prospects of BJP on few seats because he has strong hold on these seats because of his popularity among members of his community. Mittal was the leader who had stood firmly against militancy during the era of militancy in the state. He had worked round the clock to keep unity and integrity. He was a major key role player in bringing alliance between SAD and BJP under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and former CM Delhi Madan Lal Khurana in the year 1997. Earlier to Mittal, former Punjab minister Anil Joshi, Kamal Chetley and Sukhjit Kaur Sahi have resigned from BJP and joined SAD (B). It cannot be ruled out that some more BJP leaders may shift to the other political parties in the near future. BJP will not sit silent. It will definitely take measures to control this damage.

Cong chief ministerial candidate? 
Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Punjab and held a virtual rally in Jalandhar. However, he did not disclose the name of chief ministerial candidate for Punjab. He said the party would seek consensus of the party workers for the same. Therefore, there arises a question. Who will be the Punjab CM? Navjot Singh Sidhu or Charanjit Singh Channi? Channi has said that he is a loyal soldier of the party and will follow whatever the party orders or directs for the same. Sidhu has stated that the party must clear that who will be the chief ministerial candidate. Interestingly, five MPs skipped the Rahul’s virtual rally. Also, some Congress leaders have written letter to the party high command to take action against a minister. Thus, all is not well in the Congress. Will it be fruitful for the Congress in the elections? Time will reveal answer to the same. 

APP workers enthused
Bhagwant Mann’s name has been announced for the post of chief minister. As a result, there seems to be a wave of enthusiasm among the AAP workers and leaders across Punjab. The party workers are looking in upbeat mood. Opinion polls by various electronic channels are projecting AAP at better position. Mann was seen very emotional when his name was declared for the chief ministerial candidate by the AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal. The party workers are carrying out door to door campaign. The party leaders are promising of providing the Delhi Model of Governance if voted to power in Punjab.

Future of slatwarts?
The present scenario indicates that there will be multi corner contests. The possibility of hung assembly cannot be ruled out. The future of many slatwarts such as Capt Amarinder Singh, Charanjit Singh Channi, Manoanjan Kalia, Vijay Sampla, Navjot Singh Sidhu, OP Soni and Tikshan Sud depends on these elections. 

Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru,
Journalist, 
Jalandhar city.