Tribune News Service

New Delhi/chandigarh, July 13

Ahead of the much anticipated reshuffle in the Punjab Cabinet and the Congress state unit, AICC general secretary and state affairs in-charge Harish Rawat and poll strategist Prashant Kishor separately met party leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence.

AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present at the meeting and so was party general secretary in-charge of organisation KC Venugopal.

After the meeting, Rawat said, “There will be good news for the Punjab Congress in 3-4 days.” Asked for whom would the news be good amid an ongoing tussle between Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu, Rawat said, “For everyone.”

Rawat, however, said Kishor’s meeting with Rahul was not meant to negotiate anything on Punjab. Kishor’s presence nevertheless led to a speculation that Rahul might have sought his feedback on the state before finally announcing a truce formula for the Punjab unit.

Kishor had met Amarinder Singh after the latter’s engagement with party chief Sonia Gandhi in the capital recently. The CM had then said that any decision taken by Sonia would be acceptable.

The reshuffle exercise has, however, taken longer than expected due to lack of consensus on the formulation to accommodate Sidhu.

Rawat has, meanwhile, officially stated that the state unit chief would be replaced. Talking to The Tribune, he said first the new state president would be announced and then there would be a Cabinet reshuffle. The incumbent chief is Sunil Jakhar and the CM has pitched for a Hindu, Dalit or OBC face in that role.

Sources said the CM, who has been given a free hand as regards the Cabinet rejig, today put public engagements on hold. He was expected to introduce at least three new faces into the Cabinet—one each from Majha, Malwa and Doaba regions. One of the sitting ministers from Majha could be shown the door, and the Speaker could also be replaced, said a senior party leader. It remains to be seen what role Sidhu will get.