Punjab has always been a difficult state for any ruling dispensation at the Centre, and therefore it is not surprising that the BJP, despite serious limitations, has revised its strategy to take on its opponents. While there is widespread speculation that the BJP and the Akali Dal could still reach an understanding, there are hardline panthic elements, who are opposed to such a tie-up. In fact, both the Akalis and the BJP are fighting for their relevance in this border state where the primary contest is likely to feature the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress. However, in a multi-cornered battle, many unexpected outcomes can also be anticipated. The AAP has been the first party to release eight names for the Lok Sabha, which include five sitting Ministers.
The buzz is that the AAP does not have enough faces to go into this electoral confrontation, and is essentially depending on its tried and trusted leaders to get them the seats. The BJP on its part has firmed up its resolve to get into the electoral arena and is depending on the advice and political acumen of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to provide a blueprint for this crucial encounter. The Captain is a veteran of many battles, both while he was in the Army and when he had been active in politics. He is a master tactician who now has to chalk out a plan, keeping in mind various complexities of the situation.
The people of Punjab are by and large unhappy with the manner in which the Centre has dealt with the farmers agitation, and there is undercurrent against the Saffron Brigade. The Captain under these circumstances has to ensure that the BJP remains relevant, and in the contest, which indeed is a Herculean task. His wife, Preneet Kaur, a four-time Lok Sabha MP is likely to be the party nominee from Patiala, once the bastion of the erstwhile royal family. Preneet Kaur has won four times on the Congress ticket and could have been a strong candidate even this time, had she been fighting on the Hand symbol. Family pressure and unexpected circumstances have compelled her to join the BJP, and be its flag bearer in the State. She would be involved in a challenging fight, mainly with Dr Balbir Singh, the State Health Minister, who is the AAP nominee and the undeclared Congress candidate. There are conjectures that the Congress could either field Mohit Mohindra, son of veteran leader, Brahm Mohindra from there or could consider putting up Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is from Patiala, and knows the constituency very well even though, he had moved for his political experiments to Amritsar.
However, one would know once the Congress comes out with the lists. The BJP is packed with many former Congressmen in the State including its Punjab Chief, Sunil Jakhar. Then there is Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Kewal Dhillon, Manpreet Singh Badal and Arvind Khanna. Some of these leaders, who were once close to Captain Amarinder Singh, maybe trying their luck on the Lotus symbol. Significantly, if the BJP does field Preneet Kaur, it would be against the accepted policy of keeping those over 75 years out of the contest. But in her case, there can be an exception since she is a well-known face, who has had a close interaction with the people of the City. Simla born Preneet Kaur, is the daughter of former ICS officer, the late Gian Singh Kahlon. But her strength is her being from the Patiala Rajwara and her close connection with the masses.
The Akalis are also quietly planning their strategy and it is almost certain that Harsimrat Kaur Badal, shall be fielded from Bhatinda. Since his father’s passing away, Sukhbir Singh Badal has patched up with many of his adversaries and is trying his best to keep the Panthic party in the fray. He is a changed man and understands the responsibility that has fallen on his shoulders. He has now got to negotiate the electoral path in an astute and shrewd manner. The Congress which had won, eight seats in 2019, is banking on its own popularity and the anti-incumbency factors against the AAP. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is leading from the front and is ably assisted by Pratap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. There is a discord within the ranks with Navjot Sidhu, holding his own meetings and making statements, which on many occasions are not consistent with the party stand.
But that is the way the Congress is and Sidhu too cannot be tamed at this late juncture in his life. Punjab has 13 seats, and Manish Tewari, the sitting MP from Anandpur Saheb, is expected to be renominated from this constituency while there is speculation that his name is also in consideration from Chandigarh. A former president of the Indian Youth Congress, Manish is one of the more articulate leaders from the State in Parliament. Amit Vij, former MLA could be in consideration from the Gurdaspur seat. The salient feature of this election is that if the BJP and the Akalis, both decide to be on their own, both shall end up on the losing side on majority of seats. Thus, time alone shall tell how things pan out here. The AAP is keen to repeat its Assembly election success and the Congress wishes to make a comeback.