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Punjab : Mirage of Akali unity |
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Till the Akalis manage to patch-up the dissident factions in time for the Punjab elections in February. That is the question political observers are asking as the future of the Badal Government is at stake. Akali unity was a political impossibility some two and half years ago. Two titans clashed and exchanged harsh words. It was a gigantic war of egos and hence not amicable to an easy solution. Come February 13 and elections to the state assembly and a very faint hope emerges. The intense and deep seated anti-Congressism of both Chief Minister P.S. Badal and the veteran G.S. Tohra does come to play. They do not want to be accused of helping the former ruling party for capturing power by default.
There is then a silver lining as senior leaders meet and smile together. But it has proved to be shortlived. The Chief Minister has not agreed to present himself before the Akal Takht to apologise for the curt dismissal of Jathedar Manjit Singh one of the issues, denounced by Tohra who in turn has offered to appear before the supreme temporal body of the Sikhs if it so desires. This gesture indicates that the monumental egos have not melted even a bit in the heat of the coming assembly polls.
A united Akali Dal-the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) the Panthic Morcha and the SAD (Amritsar) may increase the chances of its victory even if only marginally. Akali disunity may be artificial but it is very much real for the present. There are elements in both parties which will like to sabotage unity efforts partly because they had taken a rigid stand in the past and partly because a reconciliation between the two factions will impinge on their political future. Both Badal and Tohra have their own political calculations and hence the problem. When the election was announced it appeared that the ruling Akali Dal was destined to be second best. If extra efforts are made for Akali unity and if the CPI-Congress differences persist the SAD, according to political observers, can still give a credible fight to the Congress. Election is all about fighting and both Badal and Tohra know this very well. Punjab should evolve a two-party system with sharp ideological differences. The first step in this direction will be for the Akali Dal to break out of the religious confines and develop a strong policy framework and make itself a broadbased organization. This is not as difficult as it sounds be that as it may. The poll scene in Punjab is going to be exciting with plenty of fireworks.
Badal has emphasised making a correct and decisive decision by the voters in his campaign speeches. The Akalis are making a last bid for a Tohra, Badal thaw. It was their rift that led to the Congress winning the Lok Sabha seats in the State. This time, the story could be repeated if a timely patch-up is not effected. Badal’s decision not to release the names of his party nominees for the Assembly seats held by the Tohra faction is seen a positive gesture. For Tohra it is the credibility factor as he has thrived on the anti-Badal rhetoric. If he goes along with the unity moves without getting a honourable deal, Tohra will lose his face among his followers.
One bit of happy news for the Akalis is that the CPI-Congress talks for a secular front have not made much headway. Seat adjustments are proving a hurdle for both the parties. The pro-WTO stance of the Congress and its opposition by the Left is a major hurdle in the way of a joint fight. Amarinder Singh, the PCC chief, is being blamed for the failure to reach an agreement.
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