The Congress’s victory in Punjab was due to Captain Amarinder Singh leading the campaign. The win reaffirms the fact that only strong leadership at the State level can pave the way for a Congress win. Amarinder Singh’s acumen in convincing Navjot Singh Sidhu to join the party not only paid rich dividends, but also prevented the break-up of votes. Anti-incumbency was also a major factor in dislodging the SAD-BJP government.
Now huge challenges lie ahead for Amarinder Singh. He has to break the drug mafia-politician nexus to end the drug menace and prevent terrorists from infiltrating across the border by keeping a close vigil, among other things. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi should closely study the Punjab election and emulate the model in other States. The inability of the Aam Aadmi Party to maintain the momentum it generated in 2015 is largely due to Arvind Kejriwal’s arrogance. He took the electorate in Punjab for granted.
K.R. Srinivasan, Secunderabad
