Captaincy iffy,but Amarinder to flex muscles in Sept

While the follies of the ruling combine that he intends to flag are government’s bid to impose taxes,Badals’ foriegn holidays and poor governance,the main brainwave behind the move is to showcase Amarinder donning the mantle of a street fighter and display his “mass appeal” among both party workers and leaders. As for timing,it would counter the criticism that he is unwilling to continue,and in case he is shunted out,he goes out fighting,sources in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) said.

In either case,it is a win-win for Amarinder,say political experts. If he continues,he gets to silence his detractors till 2014 parliamentary polls and if he goes,the infighting in faction-ridden Punjab Congress may once again ensure his return ahead of the general elections.

The “decision paralysis” in the Congress high command on organisational matters has only helped Amarinder’s case by fuelling speculation over their inability to find a suitable replacement. “The time lag has blunted the oust-Amarinder campaign that gathered steam after the Assembly poll debacle. The hobnobing among some top contenders and Amarinder-baiters has died down proving the contention of his supporters that he still remains the tallest among all in fray and is still favoured by party president Sonia Gandhi,” one of his detractors said requesting anonymity.

However,he added that the erstwhile Maharaja’s “a king chooses to do what it pleases him” style of functioning is not expected to change and the demoralised party cadre need a leader who can take on an emboldened SAD-BJP alliance. “This fact is not lost on the high command. So sooner or later,he will go,the question is about the timing,” he added.

As for Amarinder’s blink-and-miss presence on Punjab’s political scene after the poll verdict,his close aides attribute it to uncertainty over his captaincy created by statement of AICC spokesman Janardan Dwivedi. “The latter’s statement that Amarinder will continue till civic polls in state,gave him the right to become disinterested till the air was cleared. Since the uncertainty is not showing any signs of ending,he has decided to play the innings well till he is at the pitch,” a close aide said.

Amid all the politicking,central leaders are lobbying for state leaders of their choice. MP Pratap Singh Bajwa,a frontrunner for PCC president race,is learnt to have secured the blessings of Sonia’s key aide Ahmed Patel while MLA Jagmohan Kang has support of union minister Ambika Soni. The name of Amarinder’s wife and union minister Preneet Kaur is also doing the rounds. But in Congress,they say,nothing is final till the name is out in a black and white.

Tour starts September 2

PPCC president Captain Amarinder Singh’s Punjab tour will cover seven assembly segments in the first leg. Starting from Patti in Tarn Taran on September 2,Amarinder will visit Chamkaur Sahib on September 3,Rampura Phool on Sept 5 and Phillaur on Sept 6. The tour to Majitha on Sept 9 will be organised by ousted rebel Lalli Majitha who has returned to the party fold. On Sept 12,he will be in Fatehgarh Churian and on Sept 13 at Sanour.