‘Akalis definitely trying to scuttle Bargari probe, clearly have something to hide’

Sukhbir, as deputy CM and home minister, were aware of what was happening and the police simply went berserk and opened fire, then they’re worse leaders than I believe them to be. No chief minister can claim ignorance on such a major issue, and Punjab Police is a disciplined force that doesn’t just go berserk.

Are you accusing them of being complicit?

Isn’t it an obvious conclusion? Their actions clearly show they don’t want the truth to come out. Because they are worried that the truth will expose them. Why else did they force the closure report [by the CBI] without allowing the probe to be completed? And why else have they prevented the CBI from even handing over the case files to us despite our repeated pleas? Clearly, they have something to hide. What that something is will come out in the SIT investigation. That will nail the extent of their guilt, and the law will then take its course.

But you’ve made the entire investigation an open-ended affair, with no timeframe? Doesn’t that amount to delaying justice on your part too?

These things take time. You can’t just open a file and close it. It’s a serious crime and we have to get to the root of it. No true Sikh can tolerate the desecration of the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and, as the chief minister, it is my duty, as well as a personal promise, to ensure that the culprits get exemplary punishment. And rest assured, that will happen, sooner rather than later.

You had earlier said that the 2017 polls were your last. But now you want to re-contest in 2022. What has brought about the change?

If you look at my interviews soon after I took over, I had made it clear that I would continue as long as Punjab and its people need me. Before the 2017 polls, while I was aware that things were bad, I did not know the extent of the mess which the Akalis and the BJP had left behind. Immediately after taking over, I realised that one term may not be enough to address all the problems and put Punjab back in its earlier position as the country’s front-ranking state. Hence my decision to re-contest, if needed. Of course, if we are able to correct all the ills in the next two and a half years, I would be more than happy to hand over the reins

to the next generation.

Is it because the Congress is too weak to build new leadership in Punjab and elsewhere in India?

As just mentioned, my decision is connected only and solely with the state of affairs prevailing in Punjab. And frankly, I don’t see how you can conclude that Congress can’t build a new leadership. It has happened before and will happen again. The old has to give way to the young, not just in the Congress but in every party, at some point of time.

You have been advocating Rahul Gandhi’s return as Congress president. Will he heed your advice? Have you spoken to him about it?

We, the senior party leaders, have individually and collectively spoken to Rahul many times on the issue. Unfortunately, he has stayed adamant. He has taken the onus of the party’s defeat in the Lok Sabha polls on himself, which is really not correct. It was a collective responsibility and Rahul wasn’t to

If he does agree to again helm the Congress, should it not be through organisational polls?

Any decision on this has to be of the party collectively, and by consensus. That has always been the case and will be in the future too.

Rahul’s return, if at all, will again expose the Congress to the charge of being controlled by the Nehru-gandhi dynasty. Won’t that be a problem in the absence of tangible issues against the BJP, especially Narendra Modi?

I don’t understand this talk of dynasty. At the end of the day, only merit makes the difference. Rahul, as I have always maintained, is more than competent to lead the party. If he happens to be part of a certain family, that goes to his advantage, not his disadvantage. Having grown in a political environment cannot be considered a demerit for a political leader, after all!

Moreover, running a complex party like the Congress isn’t easy without the right temperament, regardless of merit and popular acceptability. The Cong’s young leaders are generally seen as lacking that temperament and a staying power that can match that of the top BJP leaders.

I challenge anyone to say that Rahul lacks merit or acceptability. He is one of the most popular leaders in the country today, and understands the pulse of the people better than most, including the so-called top BJP leaders. Staying power comes from staying around long enough in power or position. No youth leader is born with it. It comes with experience. What youth brings to the table is dynamism, a fresh outlook and a new way of thinking, which the nation needs today. Let us also not forget that India is a young nation, with the youth constituting the vast majority of its population. How can the old even begin to understand the aspirations of the young, leave alone fulfill them? The arguments you’ve put forth are the ones propounded by those who are just not willing to relinquish power.

Your positioning on Kashmir, Pakistan and the terror it exports immensely added to your national stature ....

I’m not clear what the question is here. But the stand I’ve taken on these issues is what I truly feel, from the bottom of the heart. Having witnessed these issues closely, as an ex-army man and a leader of a border state like Punjab, which has borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism in its dark days, I can say with confidence that these issues go beyond partisan political affiliations. Every Indian relates to these issues in the same way, and that is what nationalism is all about.

The question is that why are you shy of taking up a major organisational position in the Congress at the Centre?

I have never been shy of taking up any responsibility, be it in the state or at the Centre, and would continue to do so, as long as I’m needed to. What I’ve said is that Punjab is going through difficult times in many ways and I want to do everything in my power to set it right, as I had promised to the people.