Punjab's tryst with destiny?

If Tuesday was America's tryst with destiny; Wednesday was no less crucial from Punjab's point of view.

The unprecedented move where 46 year old Sukhbir Singh, President of Shiromani Akali Dal was sworn in as the deputy Chief Minister to his father however had one basic difference.

If Tuesday's event was a watershed in America's history where the power of the people prevailed, Punjab on Wednesday rewrote the annalsof dynastic rule. Never in the history of India have a father and son been Chief Minister and deputy CM, respectively.

"Imagine a situation where the father is the CM, son Deputy CM, nephew the finance minister and son-in-law Food and civil supplies minister, and the coalition partner on whom the very existence of the government rests, sits and watches this blasphemy taking place, said a senior Punjab BJP leader, sulking at the developments.

The move which even a green horn can judge is nothing but a father's attempt to slowly hand over the state's mantle also blemishes theOctogenarian's long time position, of a selfless Punjab leader.

The justification that Punjab requires fresh blood loses merit as more andmore Badals find place in the cabinet. Perhaps the rest of the youth is squandering its time consuming drugs or drinking alcohol in illegalvends in Punjab villages (a few were burnt by women in Hoshiarpur district).

"The senior Badal should have made him the CM the very first day, says a senior Akali leader who feels this act has tarnished SAD's imageimmensely. It shows we fear a strong anti-incumbency in the Lok Sabha and Sukhbir's pre-mature coronation is an attempt to put him in thesaddle's seat before it gets embarrassing. To equate his elevation on the lines of Omar Abdulalh also holds no currency amongst the masses, as political observers feel there is noparallel between the two, except that they have studied from the same school and are from political families.

For Sukhbir, since he has chosen the dynasty path to reach the top,the challenge would be to become a man of the masses rather than aleader of Akali Dal, alone.

Unlike Wednesday, when Akali workers were ferried by District Transport Officers, Tehsildars and Patwaris to Amritsar, true joy will be in witnessing millions throng on their own accord, to see Punjab's tryst with destiny. You will have then arrived, Kakaji! Congratulations for the time being!