Sidelined Captain flaps his wings

Ducks flap their wings, one can see them in surroundings with water bodies, trying to make it appear that they are set for a long flight. Of course, they, as well as the observers, know that they cannot fly for a long distance. They just hop from place to place, for a few feet or yards.

What is happening in Punjab and to its former Chief Minister is similar to that. By deft manoeuvring, the Congress High Command, especially the Gandhi siblings, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have virtually forced Captain Amarinder Singh to quit as Chief Minister. Charanjit Singh Channi has replaced him as Chief Minister. But later happenings, especially the utterances of the Congress incharge of the state, give an inkling that this might be a stopgap arrangement. Depending upon the Congress performance in the Assembly elections to be held early next year, the possibility of the Gandhi siblings’ favourite Navjot Sidhu replacing him in the long or short term cannot be ruled out.

Faced with this scenario, Captain Amarinder Singh has termed Navjot Sidhu as anti national. He has made it clear that if the Congress makes Sidhu as its face for the top elective post in the state, he will spare no effort to oppose the move. If necessary, a strong candidate will be put up against Sidhu in the coming Assembly elections.

Captain Amarinder Singh clearly does not see the absurdity of his threat. He is at the wrong edge of his age and career in politics. Approaching 80 years of age, and deserted by most of his supporters and followers, he is bound to find it difficult to rattle the Congress High Command with his threats. His leverage is getting more and more eroded with every passing moment.

More and more, he is looking like the Blackbird flashing his red wings and quacking to defend his territory.

There is no doubt that he was eased out by the party leadership in a less than gracious manner. He could have been given a much more decent exit.

But Captain should now accept the inevitable nature of his exit and hang up his gloves. It is no use fighting against time and tide.