New Delhi, January 12
Both the warring groups of the Punjab Congress are learnt to have suggested to the party Central leadership that the president of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) should not be changed.
When the AICC leadership recently brokered a peace pact in the faction-ridden state party unit, it was indicated that the Punjab PCC (PPCC) would be revamped to accommodate both groups.
Although it was agreed that Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh would not be replaced as demanded by the dissident legislators, there was speculation that the axe might fall on PPCC president H. S. Hanspal. Former minister R.L. Bhatia and Lok Sabha MP Shamsher Singh Dullo were being mentioned as possible replacements.
Mr Hanspal had earned the ire of the dissident MLAs for playing a partisan role during the party’s long-drawn internal battle. However, he is learnt to have bought peace with the dissidents who are apparently now averse to his removal.
Party sources said the Chief Minister was keen that Mr Hanspal be retained and the dissidents, it is learnt, were in agreement with him. Their explanation has been that if the Chief Minister was being retained on the plea that the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner, the same logic should also apply for the PCC chief.
However, the AICC leaders appear divided on this issue. One section agrees with the argument that changing the CM or the PPCC chief so close to the General Election could prove counter-productive. “This is the time to sink our differences and present a united front,” said one senior leader, adding that there could be minor changes in the PCC but no drastic revamp.
However, there is a group which does not rule out a change on the ground that the present PPCC chief had not been effective enough. The AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, Mrs Mohsina Kidwai, maintained she was still to discuss this matter with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who would take a final decision. There was agreement that no changes would take place before January 15 when Ms Sonia Gandhi is slated to visit Bathinda for a panchayat sammelan. This visit, it was pointed out, was meant to motivate the party cadres to work unitedly for the coming Lok Sabha poll.
While changes in the PPCC are still a matter of debate, party sources indicated that the presidents of the state units in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, may be replaced within a few days. Other minor changes in the AICC set-up are also expected within this week, party sources said, adding that Ms Gandhi would like to get over this task before she embarks on her extensive tours.
