Punjabi folk singer and Congress recruited Sidhu Moose Wala was killed in a broad daylight in Punjab’s Mansa from where he had unsuccessfully contested state assembly elections.
The question here is why did the Punjab government, led by Bhagwant Mann, publicly declare the list of around 450 VIPs whose security was withdrawn?
Secondly, why is Bhagwant Mann dependent on his bosses and chieftains from Delhi who call the shots for Mann’s lack of political exposure in dealing with what isn’t his cup of tea?
Delhi Chief Minister bluntly refusing to give him a free hand speaks of his strategy to personalise power through a system of belief and branding himself as a popular mass leader with a sharp focus on perception, propaganda and rhetoric.
That establishes his credentials as an alternative to the national mainstream political parties elaborating on the net of his social welfare schemes from healthcare to education as guarantees ensuring upkeep and wellbeing of the common and ordinary.
However, this can’t take away the blame off his back for the accusations and charges made by his opponents of turning to the Hindutva tide, outsmarting the BJP on the front of doles and handouts, from schemes to special announcements capturing the emotions, feelings and faith of a vote bank which readily might end up voting for BJP than for an AAP lacking a cohesive party organisation and structure.
That may take a while but for Kejriwal sitting silently and softly on radical elements in the state is not a good sign and symbol for enhancing and expanding his political capital with Punjab being an exception.
Bhagwant Mann should be able to demarcate the difference that his masters are the people and not his loyalty and obedience to the party of his origin as I fear Punjab may witness some tense turmoil as was around the state’s formation. Mann should get to his shoes ordering a high-level probe into Moose Wala’s case.
Bringing his perpetrators to justice will be a real tribute to the departed soul.