Chandigarh: Continued consultations over a reshuffle of the Punjab Congress organisational set-up have triggered concerns over delays, with a few party members fearing prolonged uncertainty could hurt its prospects and hamper preparations for the upcoming assembly elections.Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi appeared to express his anxiety on social media. Quoting a movie dialogue, “Main Vaapas Aunga”, he wrote: “Ab der ki, to shayad bahut der ho jayegi (If there is any more delay, it may become too late),” adding that he found the line “deeply meaningful”. Another senior Congress functionary, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the changes should be announced at the earliest to end uncertainty among party workers. The functionary added the party must present a united front and intensify its campaign, especially when the governing AAP is facing opposition heat over a controversial video allegedly linked to chief minister Bhagwant Mann. The Congress high command is deliberating on the reshuffle, including the appointment of a new state unit president. Party sources said the central leadership is trying to build consensus, address factionalism and take all state leaders on board before finalising the changes. On Friday, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring met Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal in New Delhi. Over the previous two days, MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi also held separate meetings with Venugopal. The consultations follow the constitution of a three-member observers’ committee, comprising Ajay Maken, Meenakshi Natarajan and Bhajan Lal Jatav, by the Congress high command. The panel last week took feedback from around 60 senior Congress members, office-bearers and party functionaries in Punjab. After submitting its report, the committee was followed by one-to-one meetings held by Rahul Gandhi with Raja Warring, senior members Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Vijay Inder Singla and leader of the opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa. MSID:: 132015954 413 |
