Regionalbuzz AAP, Cong keep hurling Covid barbs at each other
Keeping tabs on power politics in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and J&K
Delhi and Punjab are among the states worst hit by Covid, but that has not deterred the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress from taking potshots at each other. AAP’s two top state leaders Bhagwant Mann and Harpal Singh Cheema have slammed chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh repeatedly, accusing him of mishandling the situation, particularly the high mortality rate, oxygen supply and illegal sale of remdesivir. AAP is the ruling party in Delhi and the principal opposition in Punjab. Amarinder and his health minister Balbir Sidhu have also been hitting back at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for the crisis in the national capital, charging the AAP government with misjudging the situation. “They keep making noise and their publicity budget is three times that of ours. If they had put this Rs 500 crore in upgrading health infra, the city would not have such a situation,” Amarinder said last week, pointing out that Covid patients from Delhi were coming to Punjab.
SAD’s shifting stance on Deep Sidhu
The Akalis’ shifting stand on actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu is turning out to be a topic of discussion in Punjab. Sidhu, a supporter of Khalistan, was critical of the SAD. Akali leaders, particularly Bikram Singh Majithia, called him a “traitor” and “BJP agent” after he hoisted Khalsa flag at Delhi’s Red Fort during the farmers’ protest on January 26. However, when Sidhu was put in jail, SAD leader and SAD-controlled Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced to fight his case and get him released. Majithia differed with his announcement at that time. However, Sirsa did not bother and continued to aid Sidhu and also honoured him with ‘siropa’ at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj on his release. When Sidhu visited Golden Temple on Friday, local Akali leaders, including Amritsar City chief Gurpartap Singh Tikka, accompanied him. Majithia also kept quiet now.
Moga MLA, a lone warrior
Congress MLA from Moga Dr Harjot Singh Kamal has been sulking ever since his wife lost the municipal polls. The MLA has distanced himself from the party and carrying out his political activities independently. The names of the Congress and senior leaders are missing from his posters and event. He is using ‘Team Harjot’ on the posters instead which has left the district leaders of the party unhappy. The MLA is struggling to have a mayor of his choice for the Moga municipal corporation despite having support of 30 councillors.
Haryana Cong switches to virtual mode
On Saturday, the Haryana Congress switched to the virtual mode to discuss burning issues and devise strategies to highlight flaws of the government’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Frontline party leaders led by Congress in-charge Vivek Bansal held one such brainstorming session through video conferencing in which HPCC chief Kumari Selja and senior leaders like Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Singh Hooda and Kuldeep Bishnoi participated. Alleged black marketing of medicines and private hospitals charging fat fee from Covid patients dominated the discourse. The Congress, in a press release, said the works being undertaken by state and district Congress Covid Relief Committee to help corona patients were also reviewed. But what’s the size and scale of the relief activities Congress has been undertaking? The statement missed this vital point.