OVER THE last few years, the map of Indian states depicting states ruled by Bhartiya Janata Party versus Indian National Congress has changed quite dramatically. In March 2018, the BJP was in power in 13 states across the country on its own while it ruled six other states in alliance with other parties. It had 70 per cent foot print all over the nation.

In December 2019, with loss of Jharkhand, on the back of Congress wins earlier in Karnataka, then narrow wins in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, comprehensive win in Chhattisgarh, tie-up with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, the dynamics changed to 34 per cent. However, more surprises were in store for Congress – Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh slipped away. Recently there was intense speculation in Rajasthan.

Through all these changes of colours and percentages, one state where Congress won emphatically and conclusively is Punjab. Indeed, when Congress under Captain Amarinder Singh won the state in March 2017, people’s expectations soared sky-high. Not only were they free from the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance for the last decade, Captain had also made direct promises and people expected him to fulfil them.

However, sadly, after three and a half years of rule now – while the opposition SAD and Aam Aadmi Party are still in political wilderness like Congress is around the nation as evidenced by the Congress Working Committee meeting on Monday – the Congress in the state has still not got its act together. Though there are claims made by the incumbent government, the fact is until now the people in the state have not experienced the benefits by the new government.

Not only have none of Captain’s promises – investigation in sacrilege of religious texts, breaking the back of the drug mafia, waiving off farmer and labour loans or creating jobs for 40 lakh youth – really materialised, the disquiet and unrest in the society owing to smuggling mafias, the liquor mafia and other such has grown.

At such a time Captain must realise that with Congress in disarray all around the country, without a working head now for months, with its flock leaving the party, his responsibility is not only to the state but in many ways to the nation to keep alive a sense of opposition in our democracy. A space that the right-wing Hindutva forces are more than happy to appropriate and not allow any opposition.

What belies understanding is why does Captain wants to stick with his coterie? Whether it is ministers or civil servants. It is the same issue as the national Congress – the old guard vehemently blocking fresh new talent from emerging. In Panjab, it is acute: many talented leaders, including former ministers, are side-lined.

Another is the age-old factions in the Congress. Can’t Captain sort out differences with his rival who might have clout but is a lesser influential politician? Why trigger recent controversies like withdrawing security? In any case, the security in Punjab is over-rated. The narrative of fear and danger is meant to keep power in the police’s hands.

Captain has a big team of assorted players, not only sports but also politics. They are made up of leaders who have from time to time quit parties and re-joined because they differed in their ideology and at times also for opportunities. We can be critical about that but they are experienced individuals and with hardly any time remining in the incumbent government’s term it is wise to try them on the field.

There is former hockey captain, a former cricket player, a leader who Captain announced could be his successor, one who came to mainstream politics from more radical leanings, one close to the central leadership, another first-time young aspirant from the farmer and labour suicide belt, yet another long-time head of youth Congress. There are many others. When older ministers have not proved to be efficient, what could stop Captain from trying them on ground?

Captain’s choice is whether to continue being the big banyan under which no sapling can grow or to make way for those who are eyeing a long career ahead and will hence try to do their best by the people. Having announced in the previous election that it was his last fight, Captain has recently announced he will continue until Punjab is revived. It shows that he does not trust his lieutenants to do the job. It also reveals his own insecurity about losing power.

Captain must know that given Punjab’s dire situation, there is no magic medicine. Recovery is a very slow process. Now with the pandemic, recovery is even slower. It is time to bury all previous misgivings, stop being insecure and put your best foot forward. For the sake of Punjab and for the sake of keeping opposition to BJP alive in the country. For democracy.