Chandigarh, July 1
As the party high command inches towards a solution to the ongoing crisis in the state Congress, including planning an “important role” for Navjot Singh Sidhu, party’s second-rung Hindu leaders in an interaction with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday sought a fresh face from the community as the Punjab Pradesh Congress president.
Some of the participants categorically opposed Sidhu’s candidature as the PPCC chief, triggering a debate in the party circles on the need to bring in a fresh Hindu face to replace incumbent Sunil Jakhar, who was incidentally not present at the meeting. The CM reportedly told the participants it was not the right forum and the decision of the party high command on the issue would be the final word.
Party leaders were quick to point out the timing of the demand being raised as the Chief Minister is learnt to have already opposed the move to appoint Sidhu as the PPCC chief. Party sources said it was difficult for the Congress to have two Jat Sikh leaders in prominent roles — one as a CM and the other as the PPCC chief.
A majority of the leaders demanded fielding Hindu faces in urban Assembly segments such as Bathinda (Urban), Gurdaspur and Moga, where Jat faces had been fielded in the 2017 Assembly elections.
They said by ignoring traditional congressmen families, party’s base among the Hindu voter was eroding. A general opinion was conveyed that for four-and-a-half years, no one in the government or party bothered to talk to traditional party leaders hailing from the Hindu or OBC community and now they were being called when elections were a few months away.
Former Batala MLA Ashwani Sekhri, who was recently in the news for being in talks with the SAD, told the CM about the role played by a minister of the Majha brigade in trying to push him into political oblivion. He minced no words in telling the CM he had almost decided to change his party before being persuaded not to do so.
Another leader, Anish Sidana, told the CM about the need for the MLAs to give due respect to the party rank and file in urban areas and involve them in development works. Raising the issue of OBC leaders, Sidana said the minority communities looked upon the CM to maintain peace and harmony.
A former Moga MLA, Malti Thapar, complained about the need to rehabilitate the families of traditional congressmen and non-involvement of the PPCC in acting as a bridge between the workers and CM.
Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board chairman Raman Bahl complained about Hindu leadership being sidelined in the traditional Hindu belt of Gurdaspur.
Party leader Pawan Dewan demanded due representation to urban leaders in boards and corporation.
