Ahead of meeting the Congress high command in Delhi, four'rebel' Cabinet ministers, who were demanding change of guard in Punjab justahead of polls to brighten the prospects of the party in the state, onWednesday reached Dehradun to meet with AICC general secretary Harish Rawat.
The four ministers -- Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa,Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria-- a day earlier said here with the support of at least 20 other Congresslegislators their main demand is to 'replace' Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
They said they wanted to apprise the high command overthe widespread dissidence among the party ranks. They were categorically clearin saying after the closed door meeting that it was high time for the party toopt for a change of guard.
Their main grudge, among others, with the Chief Ministerand his aides was unfulfilled poll promises, particularly the delay in actionin the 2015 sacrilege and police firing cases.
However, responding to media questions, Harish Rawat madea clear stance that when changes in PCC were declared; they had an idea aboutpossible issues that can come up. But we’ll find a solution. Everyone trustsSonia Gandhi and Rahul, we’ll look into the matter and everyone would be givena chance to keep their issues.
“Four and a half years have passed by. It was good. But suddenlywhat has happened, why a large number of MLAs are disappointed? We will see andfind a solution to it.", he added.
Rawat told the media that Amarinder Singh had welcomedparty state President Navjot Singh Sidhu himself, and the decision on elevationwas not taken without the CM's approval.
"We have given the party leadership to Sidhu but notthe Congress to him," Rawat was categorically clear in saying about anymove to change the Chief Minister ahead of the assembly polls slated in early2022.
Channi told the media that the panel, authorised by theother legislators, would seek time from the Congress high command to listen totheir grievances, otherwise it will be difficult for the party to get a repeatin Punjab.
He said the MLAs have also raised a number of issues,including the existence of sand, drug, cable and transport mafias.
Late in the evening on Tuesday, seven of the 20-odd MLAsand ex-MLAs, who were purportedly party to the demand for the removal of ChiefMinister Amarinder Singh, categorically disassociated themselves from any suchmove.