Capt leads resurgent Congress to victory

Chandigarh, Jan 15, 2017

On tthe eve of the announcement of elections, a slogan evoked passionate response at the Fatehgarh Sahib Jor Mela on December 26, 2001: "Takht badal do, taj badal do, bemanan da raj badal do (Change the throne, change the crown, change the corrupt rule). The man, who had raised the same slogan five years ago, was Prem Singh Chandumajra, an Akali leader. 

In 1997 the slogan  was aimed at the Congress government, which was voted out. This time, too, the slogan was raised by Chandumajra, who had by now joined the Gurcharan Singh Tohra-led Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal. The target this time was the Badal government. 

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal could count on the support of his alliance partner, the BJP, and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, but he faced anti-incumbency pressures. He also faced dissension from within, as the Shiromani Akali Dal was now splintered into groups led by his bete noire Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Simranjit Singh Mann. 

The Congress, led by its state chief Capt Amarinder Singh, put up a good show before the February 13, 2002, elections. It focused on economy as its main poll plank, and levelled corruption charges against the Akali Dal government. The selection of candidates reflected Capt Amarinder Singh's choice, and both parties leant on Bollywood actors to draw crowds at elections rallies. Among the active campaigners for the Congress was then former Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.  A report in The Tribune lamented: "The free availability of liquor and drugs had neither caught the attention of the Election Commission, nor pricked the conscience of political parties." The election itself was marred by violence between supporters of various candidates, resulting in some injuries.  

The Congress got 62 seats, with the SAD winning 41 seats (down from 75 in 1997) and the BJP a mere three (down from 18 in 1997). Badal could get some comfort at the wipe-out of the Panthic Morcha.  Both Tohra's foster son and Simranjit Singh Mann's son lost. The Congress swept the polls and Capt Amarinder Singh was sworn in as the 21st Chief Minister of Punjab by the Governor, Gen JFR Jacob (retd) on February 27, 2002.