Punjabchief minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday met the three-member Congress panelin Delhi amid escalating tension in the state unit with Navjot Singh Sidhu whohas stepped up his attack against the chief minister.
MallikarjunKharge, who heads the panel, said after the meeting, "Everybody has saidthat they will fight the polls together and party is united under theleadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi"
Whilesources say the panel discussed the political situation of the state and alsoissues related to Sidhu and possible way out to resolve the issue. The panelhas got a larger mandate for poll preparation apart from resolving factionalismin the state party unit.
WhileSidhu is not relenting in his attack on the chief minister, he has insisted onan early resolution of issues. While state in-charge Harish Rawat has said thatthe matter is with Sonia Gandhi and refused to comment on statements made bySidhu.
Thepanel is headed by leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge andHarish Rawat and J.P. Aggarwal are its members. The Congress panel has beenauthorised to resolve the issue without alienating any of the factions in thestate. It submitted its report to party interim president Sonia Gandhi on June10.
Sourcessaid the panel has not recommended the removal of the chief minister andAmarinder Singh is likely to lead the party in the next elections. Instead, aslew of reforms have been suggested in the party state unit.
Whilethe fate of Navjot Singh Sidhu is still not clear, sources said the panel wantshis rehabilitation in the Punjab cabinet. Amarinder Singh is averse to Sidhubeing elevated to the post of deputy CM but is ready to accommodate him in thecabinet, sources said.
Thepanel had met all the stakeholders in the party including chief ministerAmarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu.