Who will be “Sikander” in the political battle of Punjab? 

CAPT AMARINDER EXIT AND CHANNI IN AS CM
How the game changes cannot be predicted in the game of politics. In the war of supermacy Capt Amarinder Singh has been shown the door and Charanjit Singh Channi has been sworn in as CM of Punjab. This dramatic change has been done by the Congress high command just four months before Punjab assembly elections due to be held in February next. There are apprehensions that more such dramas will take place in the coming days. Capt Amarinder has clearly given a signal that he will go to every extent to stop the PPCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu to be elevated to the post of CM, Punjab, as he has stated that strong candidate will be fielded against him and a strategy will be finalized soon in this regard. Capt Amarinder said that he feel humiliated manner he has been dropped as CM by the Congress high command. Capt Amarinder Singh is known for the political skills and a game changer who had succeeded in bringing Congress to power in Punjab. Capt Amarinder has even spoken against the Congress high command from his heart after his exit. Even the former PPCC president Sunil Jakhar has spoken words to the Congress high command in regard to this.  Channi being the chief minister is trying to deliver the best within these four months period after assuming charge as CM. With his elevation the Congress has tried to play Dalit card which BJP national general secretary Tarun Chug had quoted earlier that BJP will elevate Dalit as Chief Minister if voted to power in Punjab whereas SAD had said that they will elevate Dalit to the post of Deputy Chief Minister if vote to power. Channi after assuming his office has transferred IAS, IPS and PCS Administrative Officers and more changes cannot be ruled out in the future. His visit to Amritsar paying obeisance at religious places and enjoying cup of tea at a tea stall followed by visiting Dera Sachkhand Ballan announcing setting of a Shri Guru Ravi Dass Ji Chair, meeting the students at D.A.V. University, and also visiting to IKGPTU where he himself performed bhangra setting a new precedent that he is an elected representative by the people, of the people and  for the people. Soon the Congress high command will clear and finalize the Council of Ministers who will take oath as minister and are expected that the Cabinet will be expanded most probably within a day or so. 

BJP VETERAN LEADERS HOPEFUL 
The Punjab BJP’s senior leaders Madan Mohan Mittal, Dr Baldev Chawla and Master Mohan Lal are hopeful that they will be appointed as Governor and are in the touch with the party high command. These leaders are reminding the party high command that they are the leaders who stood with the party in the days of militancy in Punjab. Meanwhile, the party has opened its doors for all following which many have already joined. But, the party has categorically told all the new comers that they are welcome but it not a guarantee that the party will offer ticket to them for the coming assembly elections in Punjab. All the new comers have been told that the decision to allot the party tickets is finalized by the party’s parliamentary board. The party is also holding a series of meetings of different morchas and cells in the party’s headquarters in Chandigarh. The party leadership is showing a soft corner towards Capt Amarinder Singh, which is indicating towards newer come outs in the political scenario. The security arrangements of senior party leaders and former ministers such as Madan Mohan Mittal, Manoranjan Kalia, Master Mohan Lal, Dr Baldev Chawla, Avinash Rai Khanna and Tikshan Sud are likely to be reviewed and beefed up in the near future.

SAD-BSP ALLIANCE 
The SAD-BSP alliance after seems to be framing a new strategy after Channi  taking over as the new chief minister of Punjab. The alliance is making strategy to keep their Dalit Vote Bank intact with it. It is expected that BSP could get significant number votes in the Doaba and the Malwa Belts of Punjab. The alliance leaders are also actively motivating their cadre.

AAP STILL TO OPEN ITS CARDS 
The Aam Aadami Party (AAP) is yet not open its cards on the future strategy. Everyone is eyeing as to what will their future plan to fetch votes in the coming state assembly elections. Who will be the CM face of for the AAP, if voted to power? As of now the AAP is telling the masses of giving 300 units of free electricity and implementing the Delhi Model of Governance, if voted to power in Punjab. 

No doubt, hectic political activities are going on in the state. But, who will be the winner cannot be predicted at this stage. However, it can be said: “jo jeeta wahi sikander”. 

Rajat Kumar Mohindru,
Journalist,
Jalandhar.