Rahul Gandhi scrambles efforts to resolve conflict within Punjab Congress

Last updated on June 24th, 2021 at 05:06 am

Amid ongoing infighting, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Jhakhar, state finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Singh Bajwa on Wednesday held a meeting with former party chief Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. As per media reports, the Punjab Congress leaders discussed the current political situation in the state to find possible solutions to resolve the crisis.

After the meeting, Pratap Singh Bajwa told media that the Congress high-command will be taking a decision on the chief minister’s face for the 2022 Punjab assembly elections. Furthermore, Sunil Jakhar expressed hope in resolving the infighting soon. Reportedly, the leaders also discussed the issue related to clashes between Navjot Singh Sidhu and Captain Singh with the party leadership.

This development came a day after Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh met the three-member All India Congress Committee (AICC) panel for Punjab in Delhi to discuss the critical statements made by Navjot Singh Sidhuagainst him. Headed by Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, the panel also comprises Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat and senior leader JP Aggarwal.

Speaking to media, Kharge said that the committee members met to discuss the preparations for the upcoming state elections. Expressing confidence in fighting the polls together, the senior Congress leader said that the party’s high command will resolve the issues and grievances and choose the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the polls.

“Everyone in the party said in one voice that they will fight the election together and will again form the government in Punjab. If anyone has any kind of issues, the high command will try to find the solution,” he said.

Captain Singh also apprised the AICC panel about the actions he has taken on certain key issues, assuring that his government will resolve the matter.

As per reports, the Congress leadership has sought more clarification from the chief minister on issues raised by state ministers and MLAs in the party’s Punjab unit.

Rahul Gandhi is holding back-to-back meetings with Punjab Congress leaders to resolve the differences within the state party unit ahead of the 2022 assembly polls. After today’s meet, Gandhi is likely to meet other leaders in the coming days.

After meeting Gandhi, Congress Lok Sabha leader Ravneet Singh Bittu said that every party member is putting their perspective in front of the WayanadMP with the aim of implementing the necessary reforms with months left before the elections.