Maghi conferences to be show of political might in Punjab
Monday, 07/01/2013
http://punjabnewsline.com/news/Maghi-conferences-to-be-show-of-political-might-in-Punjab.html
CHANDIGARH: The political conferences organized by the political parties on Maghi at Muktsar every year are likely to be show of strength this time in the context of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections for which the preparations are already on in Punjab.
These conferences would be organized by the ruling Akali Dal, opposition Congress and the People’s Party of Punjab. For the Congress, this conference would be important as this would be the first conference at that level by the party after the defection of its Moga MLA Joginder Pal Jain.
The party has also decided to organize a rally at Moga but this would mainly be an exercise to mobilize people for the Muktsar rally. Muktsar otherwise is associated in the Congress with former MP Jagmeet Singh Brar who is in the race for the party presidency in case the high command decides to replace Capt Amarinder Singh. Uncertainty continues on this score.
PPP President Manpreet Singh Badal is already touring the area to mobilize people for his party conference. It may be mentioned that after he resigned as the Finance Minister and left Akali Dal to charter new waters, his first show of strength was during Maghi. That was followed by an impressive show at Khatkar Kalan. However, the party’s graph dipped subsequently for various reasons. The Muktsar conference in a way would be an indicator about the likely impact the party makes on the Punjab political scene in future.
Muktsar is the home turf of Badals, including Manpreet. Despite that, Shiromani Akali Dal chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal have already started making preparations for the mega show. Sukhbir is known for his organizational skills.
The Akali Dal conference at Muktsar at one time used to be the political barometer but that was years back. The party later shifted from its earlier Panthic agenda. The party is now mainly resorting to social engineering as election tactics.
