Controversy surrounding the "flopped" visit of the Prime Minister to Punjab, fails to die down. Tongues continue to wag overtime and at 360 degrees. There are just no two doubts about the grave security lapse that happened during the VIP visit, but more worry some, are its various implications which may continue to cast their shadow for a long time to come. Yet once again intelligentsia is also talking about the basic difference between a politician and a statesman. It is being held that one has to be a statesman not only while dealing with subjects which come within the ambit of diplomacy and foreign affairs, but also while dealing with the internal affair of the nation.
Prime minister's reported statement at Bhatinda airport, to the effect, that the state chief minister Channi needs to be thanked for letting him (Prime Minister Modi) go back "alive" ( from Punjab) is said to be a loaded non-statesman like remark. Some state that was an "unwise" remark which has further fuelled political venom which already exists between the activists of BJP and Congress parties. To make matters worse, there are voices linking this reported statement to one attributed to Rajiv Gandhi, a former Prime Minister, made after the death of his mother Mrs Indira Gandhi that there is bound to be some "thud" when a massive tree falls. This reported statement was one of the triggering points leading to anti Sikh riots which led to a "genocide", on party lines. If there is even slightest of iota of possibility in this allegation which is now being made against Narendra Modi, then it is a grave matter. Alredy allegations are being made against the ruling party at the centre that it is trying to obliterate the legacy of earlier prime ministers and is dividing the country on communal lines.
Leaving this controversy aside, it remains a fact that the unfortunate and unsavoury controversy regarding PM Modi's aborted visit to Ferozepur is certainly going to strengthen the hands of those farmers groups, particularly of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP etc which had not only "successfully" sustained their year plus long agitation on Delhi borders and but had even "forced" the Government of India to withdraw the so-called "black agricultural laws".
Elections are shortly due in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. These developments are certainly going to cast their shadow to whatever extent they may, on the forthcoming elections in these states. Management of VIP visits may become more tricky, particularly in western U.P. This is common perception that politically none of the central governments have been much bothered about Punjab which barely has 13 Lok Sabha constituencies as compared to bigger states like Uttar Pradesh which has 80. It remains to be seen to what extent farmer's bodies can influence electoral prospects in U.P. As far as the state of Punjab is concerned, political and journalistic circles are agog with the rumours of an impending President's Rule in the state because of the "failure of the Law and Order" as also the "constitutional failure" of the state government because of which such a glaring lapse in a matter concerning "national security" could take place. The news about the expected meeting of the Prime Minister with the President of India to brief the latter, sometimes today, about this "security lapse" is shaking the already "charged up" atmosphere of Punjab.
Coming days are going to be interesting not only from the eyes of "political and constitutional pundits" but also from the point of view general public of Punjab which is already facing flack from certain sustained campaigns against a section of Punjabis on social media...
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