Though nothing is impossible in politics, compulsions of remaining in power may force the ruling allies to stick together during the government's remaining term. And a revolt in Akali Dal some senior state Congress leaders expected is virtually impossible till its main vote-catcher party supremo Parkash Singh Badal is at the helm of affairs.

Sukhbir Singh, who had to resign as Deputy CM last week for failing to become a member of the Assembly within six months as stipulated under the Constitution, seems destined to become Deputy CM again. He is expected to contest the byelection most probably from Jalalabad to be held on August 3. The seat has fallen vacant following its Akali MLA's election to Lok Sabha. Because of their high stakes, the Badals are expected to use all means to ensure Sukhbir's win. Besides appointing pliable officers in the constituency, the Chief Minister has also been holding his vote-attracting Sangat Darshan meetings in the constituency where he has distributed crores of rupees as grants. Like the first time when Sukhbir was appointed Deputy CM six months ago, the state BJP leaders' claim over the office may again be rejected after Parkash Singh Badal uses his clout with BJP's central leadership for elevating his son as his Deputy.

However, those raising questions about Badal government's stability in the second half of its term cannot be faulted. Their perceptions are based on the building up of an adverse public opinion about the coalition ministry's dismal functioning on all fronts. Apart from the poor record of fiscal management, governance and non-accomplishment of much-touted ambitious development plans, the most worrying aspect has been the ruling class's efforts to undermine democracy and failure to check Akali goons from attacking government officials and political opponents.

One need not go into the details about the government's fiscal mismanagement. The government is neck-deep in debt which presently stands at Rs.57,000 crore. Although the government has succeeded in securing the Planning Commission's approval for its 2009-10 Rs.8,625 crore Plan, an increase of Rs.2,415 crore, how will it bridge the yawning gap in the resources to finance the Plan is a big question. It has neither mobilised the needed additional resources nor seems to have the will to do so. It blames the Central government for discriminating against Punjab in allocating funds but has failed to utilise the large grants the GOI has been giving to Punjab. This has invited indictment not only from the concerned central ministries but also from the CAG.

Experience of the old generation and dynamism of the younger generation make an excellent combination for ensuring faster progress and development. Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir represent the two generations. But if the younger generation's dynamism goes astray it undermines the polity's cherished norms and sets dangerous trends. Sukhbir's misdirected dynamism is doing this. He has, no doubt, helped to rejuvenate the Akali Dal's organisational structure that enabled it to win numerous elections. But his dynamism has played havoc with democratic traditions and norms. That the Akali goons, allegedly his followers, used violence and rigged last year's panchayat and local bodies elections in Punjab known for always upholding democratic traditions, is now history. Opposition has also charged Sukhbir with curbing freedom of Press by establishing monopoly on the cable network. Besides, it has also been alleged that the Badal family and its cronies have used state power to create a monopoly over transport, real estate and liquor and sand businesses.

Sukhbir addressing one of his first Press Conferences as Deputy Chief Minister had ridiculed those expressing doubts about the viability and speedy execution of his proposed grand development projects including power plants to make Punjab a power surplus state. He had said that the scribes would witness his promises being fulfilled within three years. After the government has completed its half term, the ground realities are that not only no new power project has come up, even the formalities for executing most of the grand projects having long gestation periods remain incomplete.

Every younger generation is more knowledgeable and more intelligent and has greater dynamism than its predecessor generation. But what the younger generation needs for fuller exploitation of its potential is the experience the old generation possesses. Sukhbir Badal needs to inherit the rich political and administrative experience and the quality of consensus politics Parkash Singh Badal possesses if he wants to survive in power politics after his father is no longer on the scene. Some of the misdirected dynamism displayed by him during the past two and a half years has damaged Akali Dal's and the coalition government's image.

After the SAD-BJP alliance wrested power from the Congress in 2007 Assembly election, Sukhbir had said, “We will rule Punjab for the next 25 years.” The Badal family's friend Om Parkash Chautala had after becoming Chief Minister also once told the opposition in Haryana Assembly that he would remain Chief Minister for life. Just one election not only dashed Chautala's wish but also inflicted a humiliating defeat on his party depriving it even of the status of official opposition in the Assembly. The electorate does not show any mercy to those who commit blunders. The sooner those aspiring to rule Punjab for 25 years realised this, the better. (IPA Service)