Chandigarh, March 18
After the Assembly poll debacle, the Congress today took the first step towards revamping its Punjab unit by deciding to appoint Abohar MLA Sunil Jakhar as its legislature party leader.

An official announcement in this regard will be made by Gulchain Singh Charakh, party general secretary in charge for Punjab, here tomorrow.

Congress sources said Jakhar’s elevation is a part of the high command’s two-pronged strategy - to pass on the baton to the second-rung leadership in the state and send across a clear message to the Hindu community that its interests would be watched.

Party sources said Patiala legislator Brahm Mohindra and Jakhar had emerged as top contenders for the post. Jakhar’s clean image, the good work done by him both in the Assembly and outside and his family legacy (he is veteran leader Balram Jakhar’s son) went in his favour.

His name was acceptable to PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh’s camp. Other major players, too, did not have any objection to his candidature. Jakhar’s elevation indicates that the Congress is looking ahead and wants to create a team, which can take on the SAD-BJP.

A three-time legislator, Jakhar (55) was one of the most effective speakers on behalf of his party in the last Assembly and raised several issues, including “malpractices” in the Agriculture Department, MNREGA and other Central schemes. He was appointed chairman of Flagship Programme Monitoring Committee in run-up to Assembly polls. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had been functioning as CLP leader till now.