3 member panel prepares formula to resolve Punjab Congress feud

After days of discussions and meetings with the Punjab Congress leaders, the three-member committee, formed to resolve the ongoing feud in the state unit, is going to submit its report to the party high command in the next 2-3 days. While a revamp is on the cards, the party is also considering giving a key role, either PCC Chief or Deputy Chief Minister, to a Dalit leader, writes Niyamika Singh.

New Delhi:After week-long efforts with a series of meetings with Punjab MPs, MLAs, and other leaders, the three-member committee, formed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, has prepared formula to resolve the infighting going on in the state unit and is all set to submit its report to the party high command in the next 2-3 days. The three-member committee, consisting of Congress' senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, JP Agarwal and Harish Rawat, listened to the grievances of all the rebel members of Punjab Congress to apprise them as a united front in the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.

Read:|Capt-Sidhu row: Congress Committee to meet MLAs, PCC Chief in June 1st week

According to sources, the Committee is going to submit a report to the party high command, claiming that there is no factionalism in the state as most of the members believed that there is no alternative to Captain Amrinder Singh to lead the party in Punjab and they have only complained about CM's inaccessibility. This shows that the Congress party is most likely to head into the Punjab Assembly Polls in 2022 with Captain Amrinder Singh as the leading face. However, the party is planning for a revamp in its Punjab unit to resolve the ongoing crisis.

"We met the state leaders to listen to their grievances. This committee was being formed to unite our Punjab unit. We tried that no one speaks anything in public. We have also spoken to Captain and discussed all the issues with him. After observing all the views, now we have made our suggestions in the report. But what changes will be made in the state unit, that would be decided by the party high command," said one of the committee member to ETV Bharat.

A source had informed that during the three-hour-long meeting with the AICC committee, Captain Amrinder Singh provided a detailed explanation on all the issues and allegations that were being put upon him. It is also being said that Capt is not in favour of the elevation of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu as Deputy CM or Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief, suggesting that the move may upset several leaders in the state unit who are way senior and more eligible for the post than Sidhu.

Read:|As dissent in Punjab Congress brews, Sidhu to meet Congress panel today

Sidhu has been on a rebellious path as he waged a war on Twitter against Punjab Chief Minister, making controversial statements of the unfulfillment of promises, his quid-pro-quo with Akalis and even questioned the probe on Sacrilege matter. Meanwhile, Sidhu has got a back from the party high command as both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi seems inclined to retain a respectable position for him, so that we would not get defect to Aam Admi Party just ahead of the elections, a party functionary said.

After the meeting, Sidhu had said to the media, "I came here on the invitation of party high command. I have completely uncovered the truth. The truth may be oppressed but it cannot be defeated. So, I have brought the truth of Punjab to the notice of high command. We have to make the truth victorious and defeat every anti-Punjab force." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also had a conversation with some of the rebel MLAs to get to know their opinions over the matter and the issues they are facing within the party. Many of the Punjab Congress MLAs have suggested that Congress should not let go of Sidhu. It is also being said that Captain has suggested giving back the Cabinet position to Sidhu.

Read:|Punjab Congress feud: Amarinder Singh meets party panel in Delhi

While on the post of either PCC Chief or Deputy Chief Minister, the party is mulling upon the appointment of a Dalit leader. Some of the Congress MLAs, including Rajkumar Verka, had raised this demand in front of the committee as well. However, the final call will be taken by the party high command.On the issue of Sacrilege matter, Captain has assured the committee that a proper investigation would be conducted and strict action would be taken at the earliest a new SIT is on the job. Even the Punjab Congress incharge, who is also one of the members of the committee, had told the media that the party understands the sentiments of people over this matter but the Chief Minister understands it better.