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Regional buzz | AAP’s public connect plan
Hindustan Times reporters keeping tabs on power politics in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir
Punjab residents have been receiving automated calls featuring a voice message attributed to chief minister Bhagwant Mann, asking whether they have obtained their Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana health card. Mann highlights the cashless healthcare scheme, providing coverage of up to ₹10 lakh, and urges residents to obtain their cards and avail themselves of its benefits. The message also carries a political undertone, with Mann alleging that the Opposition is targeting the government over the scheme and its efforts to extend healthcare coverage. The recorded message goes beyond a routine welfare reminder, with Mann also seeking public support for the government’s healthcare initiatives.
Channi, the degree man!
Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, whose absence from the Congress Working Committee meeting last week to appear for an examination sparked controversy amid the state unit’s leadership tussle, is an avid learner.
The Jalandhar MP has an impressive tally of degrees - a BA and LLB from Panjab University, an MBA from Punjab Technical University and an MA in political science from Panjab University, according to his 2024 election affidavit. Channi completed a PhD in 2023 with ‘Indian National Congress’ as his research topic, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration. “I skipped the meeting with the high command’s permission,” he said.
Jumbo media team
With the Punjab assembly elections barely six months away, the AAP, known for creating narratives, has rejigged its media team to add more punch to sound bites. Last week, the ruling party announced a jumbo team of 23 spokespersons and 29 television panellists to tune up its media offensive and publicise the state government’s welfare schemes. The line-up includes MPs Meet Hayer, Raj Kumar Chabbewal and Malvinder Singh Kang and MLAs such as Goldy Kamboj, Amandeep Kaur, and Inderbir Nijjar. With the Opposition also getting increasinly aggressive in its attacks, the state appears to be heading for a full-blown political slugfest.
BSP’s FB route
In an age when political parties maintain elaborate media and PR teams, the BSP in Punjab has a Facebook-only strategy. It does not issue press releases or routinely share details of its programmes with media houses. The party largely publicised its 12-day Sri Guru Ravidas Samman Yatra that concluded on August 21 through Facebook. Asked about the unusual strategy, BSP Punjab president Avtar Singh Karimpuri said the party only posts its events on Facebook. The approach comes despite Punjab having India’s highest SC population share, at around 32%, and being the birthplace of BSP founder Kanshi Ram.
‘Zombie’ videos: Bhajji refuses to back down
Despite getting embroiled in a political slugfest by sharing a ‘zombie drug video’ from Rajasthan, Rajya Sabha member Harbhajan Singh has refused to back down.
On Saturday, the former cricketer, popularly known as ‘Bhajji’, reposted on X a video shared by his party colleague Ravneet Singh Bittu. Bittu claimed that the video showed youths openly injecting drugs under a bridge on Ludhiana’s Jagraon road. Taking a swipe at those questioning his earlier post, Bhajji wrote: “Is Jagraon bridge situated in Rajasthan? Now, these paid trollers must claim this video is from Ganganagar.”
Randhawa’s unique take on Cong unity
Asked about the ongoing tussle in the Punjab Congress ahead of the state elections, senior leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who was in Ludhiana on Saturday, brushed aside reports of differences, insisting that leaders representing different sections of society were firmly together. Then came the punchline. With the ease of someone presenting a well-balanced political thali, Randhawa said in a lighter vein, “The SC face is Charanjit Singh Channi, the Jatt face is me and the Brahmin face is Bharat Bhushan Ashu, but Congress is united.” So, there you have it, unity Congress-style. Different faces, different constituencies, different political ambitions – but, importantly, one party.
‘Tariff shock’ triggers backlash
After a hike in electricity tariffs, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the power portfolio, is facing backlash not only from the public but also from the Opposition. Before the assembly polls, the National Conference had promised 200 free units to consumers, on the lines of Delhi, in its election manifesto. The party scored a landslide victory. People and the Opposition continue to remind Omar about his promise. Now, the 6.8% hike in tariff, effective from next month, has left people fuming, with many saying that the government only cares about its own welfare, not the people.
When Vikramaditya rallied behind Kangana
Himachal Pradesh cabinet minister Vikramaditya Singh may have been very vocal in his criticism of BJP MP Kangana Ranaut but he came out in her support over yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s remarks about her. In a social media post, Singh said that while he neither agrees with Kangana’s political ideology nor supports her views on Gen-Z, comments about a woman’s character on a public platform are “condemnable and unfortunate.”
He urged Baba Ramdev to withdraw his words and publicly apologise to Kangana. “While one may disagree with ideas, the language used and the conduct maintained must always be respectful,” he said.
(Contributed by Karam Prakash, Navneet Sharma, Hillary Victor, Navrajdeep Singh, Tarsem Singh Deogan, Mir Ehsan, Shailee Dogra)
