Why I pity Captain Amarinder Singh
After an economist of the stature of former prime minister Manmohan Singh released the Congress manifesto for Punjab, its torchbearers were expected to promote it as a solid foundation for the future of the state.
They aren't, unfortunately.
In his citadel of Patiala, Punjab's Congress leader Amarinder Singh has instead turned crudely personal in his campaign.
"He can be a general for you. For me he is only JJ Singh and I will defeat this JJ Singh. Go and ask him if he knows anything about Patiala..." That is how he mocked his opponent from the Shiromani Akali Dal. "He was two when he came here in 1945, and left in 1950, at age 5. How can he have any connection, family or generational, with Patiala?" the Captain continued.
But the general hasn't been gentle either.
"He is a fake soldier, who held the comfortable position of an ADC. He only had two stars while I was a general who shed blood for the nation," retorted the former Army chief.
Gentlemen, what have the voters to gain from military stars? Either both of you are snobbish, or are still living in your own ivory castles.
More than the former chief of Army staff, who I believe has already lowered his status by running for an MLA, I pity Amarinder Singh.
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| Former Chief of Army Staff general JJ Singh. |
Frankly, it's a royal pain to see the elderly scion of the Patiala royalty adopting such a vile tone.
It does not denote a "nawan naroan (new and healthy) Punjab", which his party's manifesto promises.
"If there is one word that describes Punjab, it is “izzat” (honour). Our history, culture and way of life are replete with instances where we have lived and died for honour and prestige of our motherland," reads the first point in the vision document of the Congress.
Aren't you compromising your own Punjabi pride, Captain, with your personal assaults on an opponent already considered too weak to take on you in your stranglehold borough?
Let me now draw your attention to the point seven of your manifesto. It's sub-headed "immediate and total end to the VVIP culture".
"The Indian National Congress," it promises, "shall completely end this VVIP culture, with no preferential treatment of any sort to any office holder."
"Its message to its office holders, administrators and ministers shall be clear that the sentiment of 'sevabhav' of the government should be seen and experienced by the people of Punjab without any discrimination," the manifesto reads.
Borrowed from the glossary of religion, "sevabhav" evokes volunteerism and humility.
I am sorry to say the texture of your comments for your Akali competitor, Captain, is anything but "sevabhav".
Here's one more exhibit of something that's too far from humility. Sample your first reaction to JJ Singh's nomination from your Patiala constituency: "It will be the first time in the history of the Army that a Captain will defeat a General."
Financial and economic reforms that your party has proposed appear impressive, at least on paper.
"A new policy to restructure agriculture and industry will be announced to facilitate producers, manufacturers and traders for greater investments and financial incentives for agriculture and business in these areas," reads the sub-section five of point eight of your party manifesto.
"Greater financial incentives for agriculture and food processing related activities will be announced in the budget of the Congress government so that Punjab could move ahead from producer to manufacturing to trading in agricultural commodities."
For someone like me who is closely watching the campaign in my parental state, I'm interested in knowing what all is in store? And what are you planning to execute your party's economic vision for Punjab?
What you are spewing instead is derision, directed at one of the candidates, who happens to be your challenger.
Unlike many other states, natives of Punjab are spread across the world. Wherever they are, they are following this election season carefully.
May be you are delivering headline promises to the state's hinterlands, Captain.
But the headlines you are generating with your personal carps are winning you no fans.
So, it's time you got down to brass tacks.