To resolve the ongoing political crisis in Punjab, theAICC Panel held a meeting today in Delhi at LoP Kharge’s office. Punjab CM CaptAamrinder Singh reportedly met the three-member congress panel, but it seems like differences still persist as Navjot Sidhu was not a part of the meeting.
Mallikarjun Kharge, who heads the panel, said aftertoday’s meeting, "Everybody has said that they will fight the pollstogether and party is united under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and RahulGandhi"
Meanwhile, parallel to the AICC panel’s interface with CMCaptain Aamrinder Singh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi decided to give a two-dayaudience to a section of CM baiters, starting from June 21.
As per reports, Rahul Gandhi today held a meeting withstate chief Sunil Jakhar, six Cabinet ministers including Sukhjinder Randhawa,Sukh Sarkaria, Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Razia Sultana, Charanjit Channi and BharatBhushan and MLAs Sangat Singh Gilzian, Raja Warring, Pargat Singh, KikkiDhillon, Tarsem Singh and Inderbir Bolaria today.
However, Rahul met Amritsar MP Gurjit Aujla and MLAsKuljit Nagra and Raj Kumar Verka on day one i.e. June 21. Besides, Rahul willhold a separate discussion with former Law Minister and ex-Rajya Sabha MPAshwani Kumar on the ongoing turmoil in the Punjab Congress.
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According to sources, Sidhu’s public attacks against theCM Aamrinder Singh has put the AICC panel in trouble, therefore the party mighthave to choose between CM and Sidhu.
Also, dissidents in the meeting with Rahul Gandhi flaggedthe controversy created in Punjab following the Cabinet decision to give jobson compassionate grounds to the kin of MLAs Fateh Jang Bajwa and Rakesh Pandey.They also shared the demographics of Punjab and the representation of dominantgroups in the Cabinet.
Sources informed that after inputs from party MLAs andministers, Rahul Gandhi is conducting comprehensive ground research aboutPunjab before the party takes any decision on the PPCC and Cabinet reshuffle.
What Next?
Sources say the panel discussed the political situationof the state with the CM today and also issues related to Sidhu and possibleway out to resolve the issue. The panel has got a larger mandate for pollpreparation apart from resolving factionalism in the state party unit.
While state in-charge Harish Rawat has said that thematter is with Sonia Gandhi and refused to comment on statements made by Sidhu,sources informed that AICC panel is trying to fit Sidhu and he would be given amajor role, but it is only Amarinder Singh who would lead the party in the nextelections.
Besides, the fate of Navjot Singh Sidhu is still notclear but sources said the panel wants his rehabilitation in the Punjabcabinet. Also, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s statement that ‘AAP’s CM face will befrom Sikh Community’, is being linked with Navjot Sidhu and there are rumoursif Sidhu would be that face.