Congress shelves plans to induct more MLAs from AAP

Friday, 10/05/2019

https://www.brightpunjabexpress.com/index.php/2019/05/09/congress-shelves-plans-to-induct-more-mlas-from-aap/

Chandigarh : The Congress party, that already commands a brute two-thirds majority in the Punjab assembly has decided not to encourage anymore exodus from the beleaguered Aam Aadmi Party. Right now, the party has 78 MLAs in the house.

So far, two sitting MLAs from AAP have already joined the party. They include Nazar Singh Manshaia from Mansa falling in Bathinda parliamentary constituency and Amarjit Singh Sandoa from Ropar, falling in the Anandpur Sahab parliamentary constituency.

For a while it may help the party in the battle of perceptions, that is so important during the elections, but in actual terms, the party has realized that it really does not help much in terms of transfer of votes. Besides, all the AAP MLAs were elected to the Vidhan Sabha in 2017 more because of the party (AAP) wave than their own influence or standing.

The AAP idea has already fizzled out and the party is virtually finished in the state. Those seeking asylum in other political parties are doing it to rehabilitate themselves, in the hope that after resigning from the Vidhan Sabha they “will” get the ruling party nomination, with a strong possibility of getting reelected.

This has already caused a lot of resentment and heartburn within the Congress, with the local party leaders in Mansa and Ropar, strongly opposing their induction. The party leaders believe that entry of outsiders will further disturb the equilibrium at a crucial time, when the party is fighting a do or die battle, the General Elections 2019 and Punjab is expected to be a major contributor in terms of the seats to the national kitty.

Besides, the party also realized that the two defectors, Manshaia and Sandoa faced strong resentment and opposition from their own supporters and followers, if they were left with any. The two defecting MLAs are still facing the wrath of their supporters and those who voted for them, on the social media.

It is learnt that the party was in touch with few more AAP MLAs in the Malwa region. The Congress candidates contesting the parliamentary elections were more keen to induct as many MLAs as possible from their respective parliamentary constituencies, than anyone else. However, they have been told that other than the “momentary perception” nothing changes on the ground. Rather, it is other way round. The own cadre feels threatened and alienated in the apprehension that the outsider, just because he or she is an MLA, will get preference and precedence for the ensuing by-election thus finishing all their future hopes. This makes the cadre indifferent and at times hostile towards it own party.

Also, the party has realized that more inductions from the AAP will mean more by-elections and many more problems. No MLA leaves his party and resigns from the assembly without the guarantee that he will be fielded by the party he joins (the Congress) in the by-election. The party is finding it impracticable as how its own rank and file will accept the outsiders and work for them. This is virtually impossible. This is bound to raise the resentment and rebellion. The party cannot risk to loose any by-election, hence it has decided to put a stop on all fresh inductions for the time being.