End of Rallies in Punjab; now get ready for new challenges

Akalis were aggressive; while Congress lacked body language
DIDOPOST.COM
With the announcement of Sadhbhavna Rally at Patiala by Akalis and Badhlav Rally at Bhatinda by Congress as ‘last rallies’ to counter the show of strength, no doubt it will be an end of phase of rallies but both the parties have to be on their toes to face the new challenges in view of coming 2017 elections in Punjab.
In fact, the trend of rallies was started by the Akalis in Punjab to divert the attention of the people from the farmers agitation for compensation on account of loss of cotton crop due to spurious supply of pesticides, decision of Akal Takht to pardon Dera Sachha Sauda Chief and later on withdrawing the same, change in SGPC heads, sacrilege cases in the state at different places. Besides, the intention behind organizing the Sarbat Khalsa – alleged to be Congress behind the show – was to project the show of strength for the coming elections.

While the Akali says, the objective of Sarbat Khalsa was to take back to Punjab to the black days of 1980s whereas Congress is of the view that it was just to divert the attention of the people from the real issues.
With the taking over of Captain as chief of the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committing and bringing all the Congress leaders at one platform, has posed a threat to the Akali –BJP sworn alliance in Punjab especially when the Assembly elections are just a year ahead.
The six Sadhbhavna Rallies by the Akallis were no doubt were a breaking numbers at each one but the one at Bhatinda on the installation ceremony of Capt Amarinder Singh as President, PPCC was not less so far as gathering is concerned.

The politicians are very intelligent in making provocative and sentimental statements at the mammoth gathering to allure the people. Despite the fact that the promises made are neither practical nor feasible but they hesitate to make them head lines of the day like eradicating the drug menace in four months. Visions are always there but without alternatives but the final decision of the people must be based on performance of the party.

However, when the Badals could not succeed in their aim to strongly counter the Congress, they are right in saying that Congress and Sikh radicals are two sides of the same coin.

The forceful and unprecedented referendum for peace, Badal has thanked Punjabis for rejecting politics of anarchy and opportunism. 

On the other hand, taking pledge to fulfill the promises by announcing the mini-manifesto by taking Gutka – holy book of Sikhs – in hand by Capt Amarinder Singh at his installation ceremony itself that people don’t have trust in his words.
The third Aam Aadmi Party coming up in Punjab which has give four seats earlier in the last Parliament elections, too had planned to submit memorandum at the district headuqaters. But the announcement of Kejriwal to camp in Punjab for the coming elections is an open threat to both Akalis and Congress and coming days will not be easy for them and they have to concentrate more on their political strategies to come to power.
So far as PPP is concerned, Manpreet Badal has already announced to go with the grand alliance which he is expecting in Punjab in the next elections.

Frankly speaking, the Akalis have set a current of wave in favour of peace and harmony through the Sadhbhawna Rallies by completely rejecting the dark and dangerous agenda of the Congress projected through Sarbat Khalsa.
In other words, the rallies were a platform to expose each other and to create a vote bank.
The presence of Punjabis at these rallies could be seen as change wanted in the system and style of politics being played in Punjab. The massive and unprecedented sea of people at these rallies is definitely going to have impact in view of involvement of fate of the people of the state. 
Congress has a tough time now to prove the wrong statement of Akali-BJP alliance that it is in the habit of adopting politics of division.But still a sufficient time is left for 2017 elections, both the parties could play their hidden and joker cards well ahead of the announcement of elections, to keep a tally on political gains.