Inter-party factionalism may strengthen in the Congress and dissent may intensify in the wake of the political turmoil in the party. Punjab. Captain Amarinder Singh’s resignation on Saturday was the result of a long-standing tussle between him and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. Not only this, the Congress has also witnessed the exit of other party leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasad, Sushmita Dev and Priyanka Chaturvedi in other states.
Congress leaders are now apprehensive that infighting and political turmoil in Punjab may have a ripple effect in faction-ridden Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Apart from Punjab, the party is in power on its own in both these states. Repeated misunderstandings have also been reported from Maharashtra, where the party is in alliance with Shiv Sena and NCP. The party is not known as the best team player in Maharashtra, where Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has more influence in day-to-day affairs.
The unease within the party was largely expressed on Sunday by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who said he hoped Amarinder Singh would “not take any step that could harm the Congress party” and insisted that all Congress leaders should keep it. Countries ahead of personal beliefs
Last year also Congress had to face defeat. Gehlot himself had to face the rebellion of Sachin Pilot, but he managed to save the day. However, he could not get out of it. A senior Congress leader said, “The developments in Punjab are likely to have an impact elsewhere. Differences within the party may increase and this will further weaken the party.”
In Chhattisgarh, a tussle between Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Health Minister TS Singh Deo has come to the fore, with Deo demanding implementation of the “2.5 year CM” sharing formula reached at the time of Congress’s victory.
Party veterans are saying that most issues within the Congress are largely “self-linked”. He said personal aspirations and ambitions were too much to be fulfilled, especially when the BJP was holding its breath for the Congress to take even a single wrong step. .
Despite changes in top positions in the BJP, such as the recent change of guard in Gujarat, the party tried to display unity and discipline. A leader said that the decisions taken in Punjab will have to be paid for. There is much speculation about Amarinder’s next move, which appears to be dissatisfied and, in his own words, “humiliated”. In the 2022 elections, many are saying that he may rebel while others are saying that he may join the BJP.
“The aspirations of leaders are often too high to be fulfilled. If you try to accommodate all aspirations, conflict within the Congress is bound to escalate, as was demanded in Punjab by giving legislators a platform to speak against the chief minister,” said a party veteran.
Punjab’s new Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was among four cabinet ministers and several MLAs who revolted against Amarinder last month. Inspired by Sidhu, he too focused on three central issues to rebuke the CM: justice delayed in 2015 sacrilege of religious texts, arrests of people involved in drug rackets and scrapping of power purchase agreements. He said he had lost “confidence” in Capt as he had failed to fulfill the promises made before the 2017 assembly elections.
According to sources, the G-23, a group of leaders who wrote to party chief Sonia Gandhi in August 2020 demanding organizational change, is also awaiting the outcome of the turmoil in Punjab. A former AICC functionary said that once the top leaders of any party openly disagree, things can move forward.
A leader on condition of anonymity said he was “sorry” when it comes to dealing with issues in Punjab. “It could lead to more internal discontent and factionalism,” said a former state minister facing infighting.
While Amarinder was ousted for fear of a possible anti-incumbency wave, there are some who feel that Punjab was a big gamble in the 2022 campaign. If Punjab is defeated before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it will be difficult for the party to recover. An old party leader alleged that the leadership was fueling dissent, and that “the ability and loyalty in the Congress these days was considered a loss”.
Earlier in the day, senior party leader Kapil Sibal also tweeted: “Changing guard. Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Punjab. The old saying goes: One stitch on time saves nine. Will it happen?”. He was referring to Congress-ruled Punjab and the sudden change there.
“The resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh was an unpleasant and difficult situation. Former Union Minister Ashwini Kumar said that its effects are yet to be seen.
“Hopefully, considering his contribution to the party and the state, his hurt feelings can be quelled suitably commensurate with his stature and dignity. It will be in the interest of the party. Our personal differences further strengthen the party,” Khurshid said.
Gehlot also said on Twitter that every Congressman should rise above himself and think in the interest of the country. “Sometimes the high command has to take decisions in the interest of the party based on the feedback from MLAs and common people. I personally believe that the Congress President chooses the Chief Minister at the risk of inviting the displeasure of many leaders in the race for the post of Chief Minister. However when the same CM changes, he gets angry and considers the decision wrong. In such moments one should listen to his inner voice. I understand that it should be a matter of concern to all the countrymen that in which direction the country is going due to the fascist forces.
About Amarinder, he tweeted, “He has worked to the best of his ability and served the people of Punjab. Captain Amarinder Singh ji is a respected leader of the party and I hope that in future also the interests of the party will be at the forefront.” Will keep working.
He has worked to his full potential and served the people of Punjab. Capt Amarinder Singh ji is a respected leader of the party and I hope that in future also he will continue to work keeping the interests of the party at the fore.- Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) September 19, 2021
(with PTI inputs)
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here
.