M A I N   N E W S

Punjab Cong “big fight” to shift to Delhi
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 16
The scene of the “big fight” among senior leaders of the ruling Congress party in Punjab is expected to shift to Delhi soon. Informed sources in the Ministerial camp said today that an appointment had been sought from Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, to present before her the “ case” against, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, senior leader of the party in the state.

Sources said senior Ministers and party MLAs from Punjab would rush to Delhi to meet Mrs Sonia Gandhi once the appointment is given by her. Ministers and MLAs, who have already started speaking strongly against Mr Brar, would apprise Mrs Gandhi that how the statements made by Mr Brar against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Finance Minister, Surinder Singla and PWD Minister Partap Singh Bajwa had harmed the party interest in the state at a time when elections were just a few months away.

Sources in the ruling party said the Ministerial group was expecting to get an appointment from Mrs Gandhi either tomorrow or day after. Certain senior leaders of the Congress party had already reached Delhi to inform the top brass of the All India Congress Committee with regard to the political developments in the state.

Ruling party sources said that in fact the roots of the “ big fight” among senior leaders were in Delhi. And the issue would also be resolved in Delhi. Sources said it appeared that certain senior Congress leaders in Delhi were playing a behind-the scene role in encouraging the big fight.

Mr Brar had already made it clear that he would not go back from what he said about the Reliance Industries Limited, offer of land to it and other industries, and role of certain ruling party politicians in this regard. Mr Brar and his supporters were opposing the allotment of land to the RIL at a throwaway price. They have stated that they would continue to raise their voice about what they consider was in the interest of the state not bothering about the consequences.