I think this is the right time to shoot an article on the upcoming assembly polls in Punjab in 2017 as the state is literally crying foul for the lack of opportunities, lawlessness, coercion, power abuse and many other social evils. It would rather feel like one's heart bleeding to see the level of insecurity, red tape-ism, political sycophancy in the govt. run departments. The incumbent government seems too insensitive to the issues of a common Punjabis who want to make a dignified living in their home state and aspire to get rewarded as per their capability. Some of their draconian policies have almost eliminated the small-scale businessmen and the farming community subject to committing suicides to escape their debt-traps.
Though it may not be the right time to predict the formation of the government in 2017, it is rather the best time to educate and sensitize the voters to have a long-term vision for their brighter future. Though, the Deputy CM may deny the presence of any anti-incumbency against his SAD-BJP govt. but there are a couple of Akali ministers (including himself) who can be pin-pointed for public resentment against them and undoubtedly, anti-incumbency exists for him and his brother-in-law who together are holding 9 portfolios. BJP minister Anil Joshi turned things his way after getting the acquittal in dual-vote scam.
Though the recent Municipal Corporation and Dhuri by-election results clearly portray a flip side but we must consider the fact that voters didn't have a third option as AAP stayed out of the polling arena. Though I'm a politically neutral person, I won't shy away from supporting the AAP to have bright prospects in the upcoming assembly elections. As both the parties of the ruling alliance i.e. SAD and BJP are hardcore right-wing parties, they have shown a regressive outlook in addressing the modern-day issues affecting the educated urban Punjabis. SAD-BJP infighting will definitely cost them a lot in the upcoming elections but that will be nullified, to an extent, by factionalism within AAP where it has shown a clear-cut division in Kejriwal-faction and Yadav-Bhushan-faction. The biggest challenge in AAP's way would be to get sensitized with the rural Punjabis and non-users of social media like facebook and whatsapp.
The time may not be right for the Congress to make a comeback in Punjab as there is a state of complete imbalance in Punjab polity and with Congress completely wiped out in the center, it may not be able to bring about the required change in Punjab polity. Taking in view the current scenario, the time is perfect when India (not just Punjab) needs the resurgence of the leftist forces. AAP may not have a defined ideology but it is beyond doubt that their main agenda is corruption and social inequality which are very rampant in Punjab. AAP is rather an Indian version of the Marxist ideology which really needs to propagate throughout the country taking into account the current state of Indian/ Punjab politics, where majoritarianism and religious fundamentalism are gaining grounds. I would suggest AAP to project a CM candidate who can counter Akalis on panthic agenda too as they're very opportunistic in using the panthic agenda. As Akalis couldn't stop Haryana from forming a separate SGPC, they are no more the proprietors of the panthic agenda. Any sikh leader from any political party is free to invoke or address the panthic agenda and this will make the Akal Takhat more unbiased and community-friendly instead of being ruling family-friendly.
Without promoting or supporting the politics of Vendetta, in the larger interest of my home-state, I would urge the voters to be cautious, vigilant and foresee the various strategies which are likely to be used by different parties to allure their votes. Now SAD-BJP being in power will be in a more powerful position to influence the voters by passing various resolutions at the eleventh hour. Another probable strategy is cutting down of the liquor prices w.e.f. April 2016, after selling liquor at almost double the Marked Price for four years. Just 1 year of effective governance shouldn't overshadow 9 years of coercion and misrule.
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All the netizens especially those using the services of govt. ISP's (Internet Service Providers) should be mentally prepared to see the down-time of internet during elections as this could be intentionally done by the people in power to stop people to freely express themselves. I myself did experience internet downtime during 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
In the end, I would just say that this is only the beginning of the articles, I'll continue to pour in more write-ups unless my fundamental right of freedom of expression isn't snubbed ;)
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