Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 4
Reorganisation of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) and accommodation of former Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today came up for discussion at a meeting between CM Amarinder Singh and the AICC panel set up to review Punjab affairs. The meeting lasted nearly three hours.
Capt defends govt
The CM defended his government’s four-year record, informing the panel that the probe into the Bargari sacrilege issue was still on and the law would take its course. Captain’s detractors have publicly criticised him for “laxity” in bringing the Bargari culprits to justice. With today’s meeting, the AICC panel wound up its consultations. It will submit its report to Congress president Sonia Gandhi next week.
The CM is learnt to have clarified his position to the panel over his alleged inaccessibility and the “excessive control of the bureaucracy”. Sources said most of the issues raised by the state leaders were “procedural” and could be addressed through “deliberative processes.”
The committee members are learnt to have discussed certain organisational issues on the phone with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal while the CM spoke to the Mallikarjun Kharge-led AICC panel. Sources said a comprehensive overhaul of the state unit was expected and did not rule out the possibility of the incumbent state president’s replacement. The CM’s view will be given due importance on the issue as the PCC chief has a key role in ticket allotment for the Assembly polls.
Accommodating Sidhu remains a priority for the Congress which wants to quell dissidence to ensure another victory in Punjab. Sources said Sidhu was keen on heading the Punjab unit, but that would be a tall order given the CM’s opposition to the idea.
“A possible formulation could be deputy chief ministership for Sidhu, along with key portfolios. With the Punjab BJP’s house in disarray, the Congress may want some Hindu leaders on top posts. The AICC panel’s deliberations may end up in the high command strongly messaging accommodation of all sections, including the Dalits. A comprehensive PCC reorganisation and changes in the state Cabinet are plausible,” a senior Congress leader hinted.