To resolve the ongoing political crisis in Punjab, the AICC Panel held a meeting today in Delhi at LoP Kharge’s office. Punjab CM Capt Aamrinder 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 after today’s meeting, "Everybody has said that they will fight the polls together and party is united under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi"
Meanwhile, parallel to the AICC panel’s interface with CM Captain Aamrinder Singh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi decided to give a two-day audience to a section of CM baiters, starting from June 21.
As per reports, Rahul Gandhi today held a meeting with state chief Sunil Jakhar, six Cabinet ministers including Sukhjinder Randhawa, Sukh Sarkaria, Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Razia Sultana, Charanjit Channi and Bharat Bhushan and MLAs Sangat Singh Gilzian, Raja Warring, Pargat Singh, Kikki Dhillon, Tarsem Singh and Inderbir Bolaria today.
However, Rahul met Amritsar MP Gurjit Aujla and MLAs Kuljit Nagra and Raj Kumar Verka on day one i.e. June 21. Besides, Rahul will hold a separate discussion with former Law Minister and ex-Rajya Sabha MP Ashwani Kumar on the ongoing turmoil in the Punjab Congress.
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According to sources, Sidhu’s public attacks against the CM Aamrinder Singh has put the AICC panel in trouble, therefore the party might have to choose between CM and Sidhu.
Also, dissidents in the meeting with Rahul Gandhi flagged the controversy created in Punjab following the Cabinet decision to give jobs on compassionate grounds to the kin of MLAs Fateh Jang Bajwa and Rakesh Pandey. They also shared the demographics of Punjab and the representation of dominant groups in the Cabinet.
Sources informed that after inputs from party MLAs and ministers, Rahul Gandhi is conducting comprehensive ground research about Punjab before the party takes any decision on the PPCC and Cabinet reshuffle.
What Next?
Sources say the panel discussed the political situation of the state with the CM today and also issues related to Sidhu and possible way out to resolve the issue. The panel has got a larger mandate for poll preparation apart from resolving factionalism in the state party unit.
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While state in-charge Harish Rawat has said that the matter 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 a major role, but it is only Amarinder Singh who would lead the party in the next elections.
Besides, the fate of Navjot Singh Sidhu is still not clear but sources said the panel wants his rehabilitation in the Punjab cabinet. Also, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s statement that ‘AAP’s CM face will be from Sikh Community’, is being linked with Navjot Sidhu and there are rumours if Sidhu would be that face.