Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, September 27
The internal strife within the ruling Congress is seemingly far from over. While several MLAs are ecstatic over their induction into the Charanjit Singh Channi Cabinet, party leaders from this southern Malwa region, comprising border districts of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot and Moga, are feeling dismayed due to lack of representation from this area.
Political analysts say this is perhaps the first time that there has been no representation from this politically sensitive area, which comprises the Ferozepur Lok Sabha segment currently being represented by Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Strong Akali, AAP presence
Both Akalis and AAP have strong presence in this area, which has 69 Assembly seats. How does the high command expect us to fight without empowering us? —Kushaldeep Dhillon, Faridkot MLA
“Whether it was the SAD-BJP government or the previous Congress regimes, there has always been a minister from this belt at least,” said Gurnaib Brar, a former MLA.
During the SAD-BJP regime, the area was represented by a host of senior ministers, including Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Surjit Kumar Jyani, Tota Singh, among others. Even then Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal represented the Jalalabad Assembly segment, which falls in Fazilka district.
Before Charanjit Singh Channi took over as the Chief Minister, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, who hailed from Guruharsahai, represented this area in the Capt Amarinder Singh Cabinet. While Sodhi was unlikely to be retained due to his proximity to the outgoing CM, residents were hoping for someone else from the region to get a ministerial berth to maintain the regional balance.
The likely contenders included Parminder Singh Pinki (Ferozepur), Kulbir Singh (Zira) and Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon (Faridkot). Even former PCC chief Sunil Jakhar, who belongs to this area, was amongst the contenders for the CM’s post.
Pinki said the Congress had swept the local body elections for the first time in the region despite Sukhbir camping there. Instead of giving incentive, the party chose to look the other way, he added.
Faridkot MLA Kushaldeep Dhillon lamented that the situation had created an “imbalance” in the region as both Deputy Chief Ministers besides several Cabinet ministers were from the Majha belt.
“The fact is that both the Akalis and AAP have a strong presence in this Malwa area, which has a total of 69 Assembly seats. How does the party high command expect us to fight and beat the rivals without empowering us?” said Dhillon.
Southern Malwa leaders peeved at being ‘overlooked’
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