AAP’s dream debut in Chandigarh; is it really a ‘trailer’? Why Cong must fret over former’s foray

December 27, 2021 is as much a memorable day for Chandigarh civic body polls as for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The minnows in the race hit a six on its debut in the Union Territory’s Municipal Corporation elections. In its maiden poll fight for Chandigarh civic body, the party vanquished bigger rivals like Congress, BJP and bagged 14 out of 35 seats. BJP & Congress were placed on 2nd & 3rd spot with 12 & 8 seats respectively while Akalis were reduced to just 1 seat.

AAP leader Raghav Chadha described the party’s victory as mere trailer.

“People were fed-up with misrule of BJP councillors, they have reposed faith in AAP. But, I must say Chandigarh is just a trailer, Punjab mein picture abhi baaki hai,” Raghav said, giving a warning of sorts to rivals in upcoming Punjab Assembly polls.

For BJP, it’s a big blow as the party with 21 in 26 seats has fallen down to mere 12 in 35 seats (raised after Delimitation Commission). For Congress too, the results are a big dampener on party’s poll prospects in the state. However, it is taking heart from the fact that it remains ahead of the curve in poll percentage.

However, there are enough reasons for Congress to lose sleep over AAP’s stupendous show as it has potential to sway public mood in the Punjab Assembly elections.

Captain’s exit leaves party ‘rudderless’

Until his exit, Captain Amarinder Singh was one unifying force which kept the party flock together and echoed one-voice unlike today’s time when Cong PCC chief Navjot Sidhu & Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi are seen dishing out differing views. Reports of infighting and formation of ‘power centres’ in the party has done no good to the party.

This difference & discontent within the party is palpable from Day one, after Captain’s exit. Despite marathon meets in Delhi & Punjab, the PCC explored many names before zeroing in on Charanjit Singh Channi. Reportedly upset over not being named the Chief Minister, Sidhu resigned from the PCC post, leaving the party red faced while ‘exposing’ high command’s vulnerability in tackling dissidence within party unit.

During Captain’s tenure, there are no such precedent of rumblings within party becoming a national spectacle. In 2017, it was under Captain’s stewardship that a ‘weakened’ Congress snatched power from Akali-BJP combine despite latter’s popularity.

Sidhu’s unrestrained jibes at Channi govt

Navjot Sidhu, Cong MLA from East Amritsar seat, never holds him back in rebuking Channi government and holding him to account despite being a member of the same government. This is enough political fodder for rivals to target Congress for the persistent divide & rift in party & govt.

Though CM Channi has refrained from making direct comment on Sidhu, it is no brainer for anyone to spot the palpable differences & discomfort of working together.

At a recent public rally, Sidhu asked people whether they were getting cable TV connection and sand at cheap rates as promised by this government.

Lawlessness & state govt’s uninspiring response

The recent incidents of sacrilege, first at Amritsar & then at Kapoorthala Gurudwara, followed by lynching of the accused clearly showed the miserable law & order situation in the state. Videos of the mentally ill person being hacked to death in Kapoorthala created wide uproar but govt chose to stay mum and refrained from issuing a public warning against such abuse of law.

Congress govt as well as Arvind Kejriwal both hinted at a conspiracy behind the sacrilege incidents but the latter went a step further and slammed the ‘weak’ administration for not acting against conspirators as well as the lynch mob.

Kejriwal said that the ruling party leaders are fighting among themselves. Punjab needs a honest & strong government and thus managed to get the optics right, even if it meant building a conception or image of his party.

Kisan Unions going political is bad news for Cong

Days after farmers protest came to an end, 22 farmer groups have joined ranks to made foray into politics by launching their own political front. The new Sanyukt Samaj Morcha is set to fragment the crowded political field of Punjab in its debut. Riding on popular support & sympathy wave especially in Punjab, the group may reap rewarding returns.

Months ago, it was Congress who looked in the driver’s seat and looked to benefit from the sentiments that singed BJP & Akali Dal. But, Congress with its internal fights has become an unstable entity that farm Unions won’t see value in aligning with.

Rather, AAP looks a good proposition for them. It had also reached out to them couple of times at Singhu border & showed solidarity on key issues. With Unions taking plunge, it’s difficult to predict now whose vote they will cut into but are expected to get good support from rural Punjab.

BJP has tried to buffer the anger of farming community, also brought Captain on board but Congress seems to be losing out on an opportunity which it could have harnessed to its own benefit. It is engaging in public fight over probity & integrity in public while Kejriwal-led party is winning the perception battle, for sure.