By inducting two times former Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh and former PCC president, Sunil Jakhar in the National Executive, the BJP’s top leadership is clearly looking at a new strategy to improve its prospects in the 2024 Parliamentary polls. In addition, four times former MLA, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, who was also in the Congress, has been made a special invitee besides making young Jaiveer Shergill as the national spokesman. The Captain had lost the last Assembly elections and many of his opponents feel that he was past his prime. However, no one can deny that so far as understanding of the state’s politics is concerned, there are very few who can match his experience and perception. Amarinder is an asset wherever he is and can guide the BJP for better performance as and when his counsel would be needed. Significantly, the Captain’s induction in the National Executive coincides with the re-emergence of his rival, Sukhbir Singh Badal on the centre stage of Punjab politics. Sukhbir has consolidated his position by helping his nominee win the Sikh Gurdwara Prabandak Committee elections and could make further inroads into the Panthic politics. However, in 2024 it shall be after a long time that the BJP and the Akalis would not be on the same side and may be pitted against each other in a Lok Sabha election. Sunil Jakhar has been included largely because of optics and to make a dent in the Abhor Fazilka-Ferozepur belt. Interestingly, he and Rana Sodhi have never seen eye to eye and this situation is unlikely to change while they are in the BJP now. A large number of Amarinder’s supporters, all of whom who lost the polls are also now in the BJP. This long list includes, Kewal Dhillon, Arvind Khanna and Balbir Sidhu amongst others. The Congress charge is that these people joined the BJP since they feared that they would be hounded by the investigative agencies on various charges. Amarinder’s followers were disappointed when the BJP while inducting him in the party did so in a low key manner with Kiren Rijju and N.S.Tomar being present while the expectation was that this would be a high profile affair with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah gracing the occasion. But these things happen in politics. So far as the Congress is concerned, it is trying to put its house in order. A difficult task but essential. The AAP is in firm control of the government but reports suggest that its popularity has declined somewhat. This is where the Amarinder factor could impact the State politics. There has been speculation that Preneet Kaur, the Congress, MP from Patiala and Captain’s wife, may also join the BJP ahead of the 2024 polls. The plan is that instead of her, Amarinder’s daughter would be the BJP nominee from Patiala. Punjab politics has always been very complex and it is getting more so with the presence of so many players. However, Amarinder, is still the most astute politician who is known for doing his homework thoroughly. He has been bitter ever since the Congress had replaced him and thus would like to make his presence felt in the next round of the electoral battle.
Pankaj Vohra
