Days after Charanjit Singh Channi was made chief minister in place of Captain Amarinder Singh, Congress’ Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat said in an interview with News18 that Singh is a senior leader and can be accommodated within the party, provided he “Initiate”. He believes appointing Channi was a “good move” and has left a major impact on Dalit voters across North India.
The former CM of Uttarakhand said that he would like to see a Dalit chief minister in the hill state as well. Referring to Uttar Pradesh, the senior Congress leader said that not only Dalits but also Brahmins have become closer to the party. There was a time when Congress had appointed many Brahmin CMs. Congress needs to work hard towards making ‘Akhand Bharat’ where all communities and castes get proper representation.
Here are the excerpts of the interview:
Has the power struggle in Punjab come to an end?
There is no longer a power struggle in Punjab. The situation is normal since Charanjit Singh Channi became the Chief Minister. There are some “self-interest groups” trying to create differences between Sidhu and Channi, though the two are together.
Like you said, who are those causing the differences?
There are big stakeholders in Punjab. Some are outsiders, some are former Congressmen with vested interests.
Amarinder Singh has said that he will not be in the Congress but technically he is still a member of the party. Has Congress decided his fate?
We respect Captain Amarinder Singh. We have clarified after Singh alleged insult. Whatever political developments took place (in Punjab), they were only to make things better. We had informed Singh about every decision. Several MLAs were worried about their electoral prospects and demanded a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party. The party has no option but to call the meeting. Singh did not attend the meeting and preferred to submit his resignation to the Governor. Now, it is up to Singh to meet the Congress President and discuss (about the future course of action). There is no dearth of ‘assignments’ for Singh, but it is for him to decide and take the initiative.
So are you giving the Captain an olive branch?
Yes, there is no end to the possibilities in politics.
In Uttarakhand, three MLAs, including an independent and another Congress MLA, joined the BJP. Does this hurt Congress?
No. It’s not like that. Interestingly, we are happy that we now have a clear slate. Congress MLAs who joined BJP were not winning as per our internal survey. Similarly, after joining BJP, two independent candidates have given us a clear edge as we now know the complex equations.
You have said that after Punjab you would like to see a Dalit Chief Minister in Uttarakhand. Opposition parties say it is just a political gossip?
Traditionally Dalits were with the Congress. However, Uttar Pradesh and adjoining parts of northern India remained the exception where Dalits were influenced by the Hindutva story over the years. But now he is disillusioned with the BJP as the fundamental issues of the community have not been resolved. As far as giving prominence to Dalits is concerned, we have a Dalit Chief Minister in a state like Punjab, which is not normal political development. My intention was to see a Dalit chief minister in the upper caste dominated Uttarakhand. This will send a strong message of social harmony.
But BJP is questioning your intention. Yashpal Arya who was a minister in the BJP government till date and was also the Congress President when it came to power in 2012. Then why was he not made the chief minister?
There could have been a different situation in 2012 and I am not aware of it. But at present, the political climate is quite different where Dalits and many other backward communities like Lodhi, Bari, Baghel are feeling neglected. BJP politics goes against the interests of OBCs and Dalits. That is why we feel that the ‘weaker sections’ should be given prominence.
Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi have toured Uttar Pradesh extensively. Will this help the Congress to garner Dalit votes, as you claimed after the Punjab incident?
Dalits and Congress share a strong bond. The Brahmins also shared a strong bond. There was a time when Congress gave many Brahmin Chief Ministers. Now they (Brahmins) will have to wait for the parties (BSP) to get tickets. Where are the minorities today? Congress used to give them (minorities) adequate representation in UP. We need to work hard towards making a ‘Akhand Bharat’ where all communities and castes get due representation.
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