Angry Congmen: No clout like Akalis, red beacons gone too

CHANDIGARH: Unlike many MLAs, Congress ML A from A margarh, Surjit Dhiman, is not in the race for a cabinet berth. So, when he said that drugs are still freely available—defying CM Captain Am arin der Sing h’ s claim that his government has “broken the backbone of drug mafia ”— it was symptomatic of a bigger disenchantment in the rank and file of the party that returned to power after 10 years.

Many ML As feel the CM is “not in touch with the ground reality ”. The tag of inaccessibility that Am arin der had shed by being on his toes for two years before elections has returned.

Unlike former CM Parkash Singh Badal who frequently toured the state, Amarinder has not ventured beyond Patiala — barring the visit to a killed soldier’s family in Tarn Taran after taking oath as CM in March.

Not only have the red beacons gone, Congress ML As are also not enjoying any clout in police stations, DC and tehsil offices like the Akalis did.The voices of discontent did reach the CM. Going against protocol, he invited state

party chief Sunil Jakhar to a meeting with administrative secretaries and deputy commissioners in June and asked them to give MLAs “due respect and break the ice over a cup of tea”.

Party sources said to keep MLAs in good humour, they are being heard on postings and transfers of lower-rung officers with Amarinder’s key aide, MP Singh, calling them to know their “demands ”. Though the CM cites no political interference as the hallmark of his government.

Some Congress MLAs have also been allowed personal favours. Yet, the feeling of being “left-out” among party ML As and workers remains.

It was again visible when Jakhar told workers that “you will be made to feel it is your party that is in power.” Jakhar contends that the party worker is feeling harassed at government offices at every level. “The CM has given officers a free hand. But they must shun arrogance, apathy and corruption,” he says.

Jakhar is not the only one among the top Congress leadership who is taking on the bureaucracy. Finance minister Ma np re et Bad al has also blamed the state’ s bureaucracy for allowing the “rape of Punjab ”. Local government minister Navjot Sidhu has chargesheeted three I AS officers for allowing municipal works running into ₹500 cr ore on single bids during the previous regime. It may widen the rift between the executive and political wings of the government.