With Sidhu comment, Harish Rawat stirs up a hornet’s nest in Punjab

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who is in charge of the Congress in Punjab, has stirred up a hornet’s nest by making a statement saying that the upcoming Assembly polls in the state will be fought under Navjot Singh Sidhu’s leadership.

Former Punjab Congress Committee president Sunil Jakhar has expressed displeasure over Rawat’s remarks. Rawat’s statement has already given the opposition the much-needed opportunity to ridicule the ruling party in Punjab. There are ample indications that the infighting will intensify in the Congress.

The way Charanjit Singh Channi was announced as chief minister of Punjab will also add to the problems for the Congress. Earlier, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was the final choice, but he was dropped after Sidhu’s opposition to his name. Randhawa may have been given the post of deputy chief minister, but he is said to be disappointed. At the same time, many leaders are feeling disappointed after Harish Rawat’s statement. His comments have come at a time when Congress made a big political move to woo Dalits by giving Channi the top job. Dalits account for 32 per cent of Punjab population. This community has a dominating presence in 60 seats. Observers believed that if Congress consolidated its position on 30-40 seats, then the fight would be an interesting one. But even Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala repeated Rawat’s statement, actually projecting Sidhu as Congress’ chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly polls.

Seizing the opportunity, Akali Dal spokesman Manjinder Singh Sirsa described such statements as an insult to the Dalit community. He further said that the Congress is insulting a Dalit chief minister. What Jakhar said was also indicative of the same. Now, it is a challenge for the Congress to woo Jat Sikhs after making a Dalit CM. So Congress is in a dilemma over how to woo Jat Sikh and Dalits together. If the party promotes Sidhu to placate Jat Sikhs, then this move may anger Dalits.

Former CM Amarinder Singh is keeping his card close to his chest. He seems to have got a big issue as well. Similarly, Congress MPs will also not miss any chance to target Sidhu, while they will stop short of attacking Channi. Most MPs had opposed Sidhu’s appointment as PCC chief, as the high command had given the former cricketer this post without proper consultation. These MPs were also backing Amarinder Singh.

After Channi was appointed CM, Sidhu has been seen on the front foot. It indicates that everything that Sidhu wants will happen in Congress. Indications are such that the Congress will split in Punjab even as elections draw closer, and if it happens then Congress politics in Delhi will be impacted as the disgruntled leaders (G-23) may then join the splinter group.