The recent appointment of former chief minister Amarinder Singh as Punjab Congress president has resurrected the faction-ridden and demoralised party cadres in the state. The old war horse Amarinder Singh, who is certainly the most experienced and tallest leader in the Punjab Congress, has not only united and enthused party cadres, but would also have some other political ramifications in Punjab where Assembly elections are fourteen months away.
The Akali-BJP combine was facing a lot of heat on various issues in the recent past, weather it was farmer agitation, sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib, killing of agitators on sacrilege issue in police firing or Sarbat khalsa organised by Sikh radicals. However, despite the number of issues the Congress was failing to push the government on the back foot.
Not surprisingly, AAP which had a reasonable presence in Punjab had scented blood and was vying to corner the government especially after farmer agitation when they were out on the streets with regular agitations and protests. However, the entry of Amarinder Singh had changed equations even for AAP as it has to now face a stronger and focused Congress in the next elections.
The impact of the announcement of Amarinder Singh as the Punjab Congress president has forced AAP to announce that none other than its party president Arvind Kejriwal will be present in Punjab for election management at least six months prior to elections in Punjab.
The AAP so far no face to project as its chief minister candidate.
