‘Punjab CM safe, but MLAs want more’: Harish Rawat on Congress Crisis

Congress has ruled out a change of leadership in Punjab. One of just three states it rules on its own, and where is scrambling to contain dissent within its ranks ahead of next year’s election.

The most senior leader Harish Rawat is a part of the three-member committee that met 28 people including 25 rebel MLAs. They were informed of several concerns including lack of action against the culprits in the 2015 Guru Grant Sahib desecration case and police firing. He also said the MLAs had “high expectations from Amarinder Singh, hence resentment”.

Our leaders told us they want to develop their constituencies. They were given some funds but now they need more. It is like ‘Dil mange more’ means the hearts wants more- type situation with MLA, has hinted at “good news”.

The committee set up by party Chief Sonia Gandhi that is scheduled to meet Amritsar MLA Navjot Sidhu who is known as Amarinder Singh’s big rival within the party at 11.30 am

The committee will also meet Jalandhar MLA Pargat Singh, who alleged threats from Amarinder Singh’s aide and is expected to invite the Chief Minister.

Among other issues, the two have clashed over a Punjab and Haryana High court order that quashed an SIT report into the 2015 desecration case and ask the state to set up a new team.

Various media reports have claimed that their grievances were against Mr Singh- a Gandhi family loyalist and a hugely influential figure who broke the 10 years rule of the Akali-BJP combine in 2017.