New Delhi |Congress leader Manish Tewari, during a discussion on the book ‘Punjab – From the Perspective of a Punjabi Hindu’, underlined the significance of selecting a chief ministerial candidate based on “merit and competence.” Tewari attributed the Congress party’s defeat in the 2022 Punjab assembly polls to “internal contradictions.”
Emphasizing Punjab’s syncretic identity, Tewari stressed the need to preserve it against potential threats. He pointed out that Punjab’s ethos, represented by Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiyat, encompasses diverse ethnic identities. Tewari cautioned against attempts to divide this identity, emphasizing the associated risks to national security, especially considering the state’s historical significance.
The discussion also delved into the cultural evolution of Punjab post-1947, creating a unified Punjabi identity. Tewari questioned whether Punjab had been adequately compensated for the pain endured during the partition, highlighting the state’s continued contributions to India’s defense efforts and the lingering sense of injustice.
Poll strategist Naresh Arora, part of the panel, referred to the internal issues within Punjab Congress and the eventual selection of Charanjit Singh Channi as the face for the assembly polls, which the party lost to the Aam Aadmi Party.
Tewari dismissed the notion that the rejection of Congress was solely due to having a Dalit chief minister, citing the party’s five-year tradition broken by Akali Dal and internal contradictions within Congress as contributing factors.
The discussion also touched upon the contributions of individuals from Punjab who, according to Vinayak Dutt, the author of the book, haven’t received due recognition. The conversation provided insights into Punjab’s rich cultural heritage and its role in shaping India’s historical narratives.
By ANI