The eight-month-old SAD-BJP Government in the state finds itself in a crisis. And, no, this has nothing to do with the Opposition. Even as the Congress is yet to get its act together and start playing the role of a party in Opposition effectively, it is the two ruling alliance partners that seem bent upon destroying the Government’s credibility and, possibly, its very existence. In the eye of the storm is the issue of subsidies. With the SAD—which draws its strength from a predominantly rural votebank—sticking to its stand of not withdrawing any subsidy being offered to the farmers and poor, the BJP wants concessions for urban voters too. This is not all. Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s nephew, is also at odds with his own Government on the issue of continuation of subsidies, with his stand based on economics rather than votebank compulsions. The sharp reduction in revenue of the state from various sources has also compounded the Government’s problems. With Manpreet openly voicing his concern over the policy of persisting with and expanding the subsidies, the Government is in a piquant situation. It was left to the CM to do some damage-control and rebutt his nephew’s stance. Badal, while questioning his Finance Minister’s utterances, also clarified that Manpreet would not be ousted from the ministry. With reports of Badal meeting the BJP leadership in Delhi to discuss his son and SAD acting chief Sukhbir Badal’s anointment as CM, there are indications that the SAD may have to grapple with an intense power struggle among second-rung leaders. As of now, Badal is the unquestioned leader of the party. But observers feel the situation may change if Badal decides to announce Sukhbir as his successor. Manpreet, the foreign-educated four-time MLA, who is the suave face of the party, Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon could make it tough for Sukhbir.However, Sukhbir, who single-handedly orchestrated his party’s successful campaign in the Assembly elections, has steadily built his own group of loyal MLAs and ministers. Taking him on in the event of a power struggle may not be easy for anyone in the party.Timing, it is said, could be the clinching factor in the power struggle. It remains to be seen how the CM and his son time their move.
