Congress blunder? Appoints Kamal Nath in charge of Punjab

There are murmurs within the state Congress immediately after the appointment of controversial Kamal Nath in charge of Punjab. The appointment might just be a costly move for the party in the state, which goes to poll next year and give a fresh ammo to other parties to accuse the party of being anti-Sikh. 

The Congress party yesterday in a restructuring mode appointed Kamal Nath and Ghulam Nabi Azad in charge of Punjab and Haryana and UP respectively, ahead of the state assembly polls early next year.

Appointing Nath, in charge of Punjab, might prove costly for the party as the former Urban Development Minister is controversial for his involvement in the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots.

The 1984 anti-Sikh riots was a backlash after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. The riots targeted Sikhs across India, particularly in Delhi and Punjab and Haryana. In the capital itself, at least 2000 Sikhs were massacred.

According to Justice Nanavati Commission, constituted by the NDA government in 2000 to look into the riots, Nath was indicted for his involved in a mob attack in Delhi and destroying a Gurudwara in Rakab Ganj.

While the Punjab Congress Chief and former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has welcomed the "surgical change", a report suggests that a state congressman has disapproved of the decision. There was similar resentment against the move in social media.  

According to an Indian Express report, a Punjab Congressman has expressed disappointment at the tainted leader’s elevation and criticised the failure of the party high command to consult state leaders ahead of such crucial appointments.

The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was quick to criticise the move. SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema, according to a report said: “Punjabis want to know why the Gandhi family continues to honour the perpetrators of the 1984 riots with plum party posts. What is the Gandhi family afraid of?”

AAP, which is trying to expand beyond Delhi, was quick to slam Kamal Nath’s appointment. The party's twitter handle said: 

Nath has been made in charge of a state after almost 15 years. In his previous stint, Nath was in charge of states like Gujarat and West Bengal.

Punjab is likely to witness a three-cornered contest next year – the incumbent SAD-BJP combine, Congress and AAP.   

The move comes ahead of the possible change of leadership within the party at the top. After the almost rout in recently held polls in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, rumours are rife that Rahul Gandhi might be elevated to the position of party president.