Buoyant ‘maharaja’ carries the crowds with him

Thursday, 26/01/2012

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120129/punjab.htm#4

It's a miracle that Punjab Pradesh Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh's Audi Q7 hits no one, as it inches out of the crowded 'Kanak Mandi' in Hoshiarpur. Oblivious to the travails of his OSD, Major Amardeep, who steers the vehicle through the crowd, Amarinder enjoys every moment with the people-extending his arm out to shake hands with almost anyone who can reach him. A smile on his face, he asks the youngsters, "beta kiddan ho" (Son, how are you?).

Seated on the front seat of the SUV, wearing his trademark kurta and churidar pyjama and a sleeveless Gadoni jacket, Amarinder appears buoyant.

The reason isn't hard to guess. A couple of days ago AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi had declared him the party's chief ministerial candidate. Now, not only his supporters but the common man also views the elections as an Amarinder versus Badal affair.

The Hoshiarpur 'Kanak Mandi' is known for its leaning towards the Jana Sangh, but many shopkeepers are now spouting Congress flags. "We decided on this yesterday", says a shopkeeper, admitting that the change of heart happened after Rahul backed Amarinder's candidature for the Chief Minister's chair.

In his speeches at public rallies, Amarinder too gives the impression of being the man at the helm of affairs in days to come as he confidently talks about reviving Punjab's economy and creating jobs for the unemployed. His speeches mainly focus on the party's progressive political and social agenda, which he claims will put the state back on the path of development.

The crowds listen to him patiently as he talks of the promises made by the Congress in it's manifesto. They get electrified as Amarinder shifts to his favorite subject, Badal-bashing. The excitement in the crowds becomes palpable the moment he says in his inimitable style and chaste Punjabi, "ena Badalaan nu…" and vows to end Akali "goonda gardi" once he takes over the reins of the state. "Eh aasli mard hega" (He's a real man), remarks a rustic farmer to a companion as they walk out of the meeting.

A connoisseur of food, Amarinder, who loves cooking, seems to be surviving these days on cold chicken cutlets and his all-time favourite hand-made potato chips. As he sips diet coke, he observes: "A wave is building in our favour". Others in the SUV nod their heads in agreement.

His confidence comes from the regular briefing that he receives from his party men, even while on the move. "The rebels are being swept away. People give up on rebels and Independents close to the elections. I have experienced it when I contested as an Independent from Dakala in 1969", he says.

At Tanda, a large number of ex-servicemen league supporters wait for him at a marriage palace, with chandeliers and pink zardozi, reminding one of the big fat weddings of the dollar-rich Doaba. "All we want is maan-satkaar ", says Col Bhag Singh. Amarinder tells them that all their demands, including removal of VAT on CSD items and exemption from toll tax, are part of the Congress agenda.

Once in the SUV, Congress candidate from Tanda Sangat Singh Gilzian hops in and cries foul about a DSP and wants him shifted out. Amarinder promptly tells one of his aides to note the details and send a formal complaint to the Election Commission.

On way to Garhshankar, Amarinder, who is often accused of not meeting people, agrees to make an impromptu halt at Chabbewal. Though he is only supposed to wave at the BJP youths who have switched over to the party and are now backing Raj Kumar, he willingly gets swept into a 'pandal' to interact with them. Congress activist Amarpreet Lally admits that Amarinder is party's trump card and every party candidate wants his "blessings".

On the move again, the PCC chief reads his messages on the phone. "Who is Dilraj Singh Talwar? He is welcoming me to Hoshiarpur," he says, adding that he is continuously receiving messages wishing him luck.

Other messages include one from a senior police officer predicting 34 seats for the Congress in the Malwa.

"We are ahead of our rivals as per the IB and Punjab Intelligence reports. While the IB is giving the party 67 seats, the Intelligence wing is giving us 68," says Amarinder. "Our own Intelligence organisation of ex-servicemen is giving us 71", he adds.

Undoubtedly, Malwa is upmost on Amarinder's mind. He indicates that he's is visiting the Dera Sachha Sauda soon. "The dera is a big factor in Malwa", he says, adding that the "Premis (as dera supporters are called) are supportive as they have felt suffocated under the SAD-BJP setup.

But he admits that the Premis did not caste their vote in favour of Raninder (his son) in the Lok Sabha poll and had backed Harsimrat Badal.

At Garhshankar, it's a big rally in support of Luv Kumar Goldy. Wrestling through the crowds, Amarinder once again takes the stage and promises to bring in genuine agriculture diversification besides addressing local issues, including subsidy for wire fencing of agricultural fields.

In about 45 minutes, he's back in his SUV and tells his OSD to drive straight to Chandigarh where he has some "important" meetings. "I need to sort out some important things", he says. His aides reveal that once home, Amarinder spends almost two hours on the phone, contacting candidates, receiving a feedback and addressing their problems.

The Maharaja of Patiala seems to be giving his best shot for the party's return to power and is confident that votes would be polled in Congress's favour on January 30. However, it will be a month-long wait before one knows the fate of various parties.