From 8216;Majha Express8217; to full run of Punjab

Bajwa,MP from Gurdaspur,started as a student leader in DAV College Chandigarh in 1976-77 and was appointed president of district Youth Congress in 1978,a year after he had passed out of college. He rose through the ranks to become Punjab Youth Congress vice-president in 1980 and president in 1983.

As Youth Congress president,he took out a protest march against Khalistan militant Jarnail Singh Bindrawale. He used to pull out parchis from a matka with names of political leaders in a hit-list and pass orders to gun them down, Bajwa says. In 1987,his father Satnam Singh,a four-time MLA and minister,was gunned down by militants. Partap was then 30,a general secretary in the state Congress.

Five year later,he became a MLA from his fathers constituency,Qadian. In 1994,he became a minister of state,and in 2002,minister for PWD and public relations under Amarinder. In the 2009 parliamentary polls,he defeated Vinod Khanna in Gurdaspur to extend an unbeaten record in any election. In 2012,he clinched the Qaidan assembly ticket,and then the seat,for his wife,Charanjit Bajwa.

Now that he heads the Punjab Congress,he stands the test of extending the area of his influence beyond the Majha belt. The nickname Majha Express is used not only within the party but also in the ruling alliance. As the first leader from Majha to get that post,he will need to reach out to leaders and workers in the politically important Malwa belt,besides those in the Doaba region.

Former MLA Sukhpal Khaira,a Bajwa confidant,says it will not be difficult for him as he comes from a strong Youth Congress background. He has the ability to take on the ruling Akalis head-on. Since the high command has put its stamp of approval on him,all leaders and workers will support him. He will be able to enthuse fresh life into the party.

Though his elevation has been welcomed even by rival factions,including those in the contenders list such as former legislature party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and senior leader Laal Singh,Bajwa will still face a major challenge in creating a team of loyalists. Many of the sitting MLAs appear to be still owing their allegiance to Amarinder,while various other factions have their own aspirants. The hobnobbing skills that Bajwa is known for will be put to the test; even his rivals acknowledge him as a smart operator who knows how to make and break friendships.

He has already planned his first move to placate Amarinder loyalists. I intend to make no changes in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee of Amarinder, he says. They are all able people and I dont want to create groups by dislodging them. If at all,I feel the need to have more people. I will bring them in without disturbing the present setup.

And he will seek Amarinders advice and keep him in the loop of things,he says. I have a personal equation with him as I have worked as a minister in his cabinet. I have sought his blessings and he has assured me all help.

Bajwa agrees his big challenge is to connect with party workers and leaders. His wife is convinced he will bring them all on board. Though a majority of Punjab Congress leaders has called him up or come to Delhi to extend their best wishes,he himself called up those who didnt,including Amarinder. He is a modest,hardworking and honest man, she says.

And Bajwa says,I intend to start a legal services cell and fund to provide party workers free aid in fighting false cases slapped on them. I will be a street fighter and wont let the ruling party browbeat Congress workers by using brute police force.