By naming Charanjit Singh Channi, a third time MLA from Chamkaur Saheb and a former minister as the first Dalit Chief Minister of Punjab, the Congress High Command has got into a damage control exercise following the dramatic resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday. In fact, the central leadership arrived at the decision after examining the claims of several top leaders including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sunil Jakhar and also Navjot Singh Sidhu. Late last night, the High Command appeared to have made up its mind to send Ambika Soni as Amarinder’s successor after ascertaining that she was the only one who enjoyed the support of every faction in the party. The Captain is understood to have called her twice to express his support for her candidacy as did Sidhu subsequently. However, resisting temptation and holding on to her conviction, Ambika declined the offer and stated that only a Sikh should be the State’s Chief Minister. Taken aback by her polite no to the Central leadership, Rahul Gandhi apparently commented that she was perhaps the first leader in the party who had declined a powerful position.
Being the senior most politician from Punjab by virtue of being elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time in 1976 during the tenure of Giani Zail Singh, the only non Jat CM since reorganization of the State, she decided to withdraw from the race of which she never was a part. She informed the Interim president, Sonia Gandhi that her conscience did not permit her to accept the coveted position which should go to a Sikh. Throughout Sunday, the Central party observers obtained the views of MLAs and gave their report to the High Command. Charanjit Singh Channi’s name cropped up and he was finally chosen to head the government which would also have two deputy CMs in Brahm Mohindra and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Although, Channi was one of the four senior leaders (others being Tript Bajwa, Randhawa and Sidhu) from the state who started the uprising against the Captain, the former Chief Minister is unlikely to put up any resistance to his appointment.
Had Sidhu been named, Amarinder would have stepped out openly to oppose him tooth and nail. There are 32 percent Dalit votes in Punjab and the Congress decision has attempted to factor the Jat Sikh-Dalit combination to win the Assembly polls next year. The move is also to counter the Akali Dal tie up with the Bahujan Samaj Party. However, in the process, the day witnessed many squabbles amongst the Jat Sikhs, who seemed uncomfortable if anyone other than themselves was promoted. There were reports that Sidhu felt peeved and insecure if Randhawa, his close friend was promoted. The two faces of the party would now be Sidhu and Channi. The flip side of the Jat Sikhs being denied the position is that one of them or more can switch to AAP which desperately needs a face in Punjab. The Captain who had in the most uncharacteristic manner granted interviews to TV channels to hit out at Sidhu, seemed to have mellowed down on Sunday. Many of his detractors accused him of using the BJP political idiom to attack Sidhu and the Pradesh president’s strategic adviser, Mohammad Mustafa took to twitter to warn the Captain that his description of anti-national against Sidhu was uncalled for and he should desist from using such language since there would be retaliation. The BJP attempted to drag in the Gandhis by asking them as to why were they silent on Amarinder’s allegations.
A senior Congress leader said that it was below their dignity to respond to the BJP. With Amarinder declaring that he was keeping all his options open, there is speculation that he could float his own party. This appears unlikely at this juncture since the Captain spoke to Sonia multiple times since Saturday. His decision to quit seemed to have been taken on an impulse as undoubtedly, he continues to be a leader whose stature was above the rest. Senior leaders including Salman Khurshid, his friend is now trying to pacify him and the Congress general secretary, Harish Rawat has praised his tenure as the CM in order to placate him. Punjab politics may see many more developments in the next few months.