M A I N   N E W S

Capt re-asserts himself with power lunch
Sanjeev Singh Bariana/TNS

Will mobilise cadre: Ex-CM Being seen as an effort towards showing his 'presence' in the state, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he will be touring the state and mobilising the cadres to strengthen the party The CWC member said he wanted to meet the party leaders from across the state in order to have a feedback from the grassroots

Lost base: Bajwa camp The Bajwa camp said the exercise was a feeble attempt by Amarinder Singh to show his presence The 'small gathering' showed that he had lost his base

Chandigarh, August 25
An informal luncheon meeting at the residence of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today added fuel to the fire over his alleged difference with Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa. Amarinder had questioned the authority of Bajwa in naming candidates for parliamentary and assembly constituencies.

Refraining from any sharp reaction, the Bajwa camp had replied that he was only answerable to the party high command.

Eight MLAs attended the luncheon meeting hosted by Capt Amarinder Singh.

The Bajwa camp might like to downplay today’s get together saying only eight sitting MLAs participated in the so called “planning exercise”. However, the Amarinder camp said it was a routine get together and an exercise towards ‘reconnecting with the party workers’.

The MLAs present on the occasion were the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Sunil Jakhar; MLA (Dhuri) Arvind Khanna; MLA (Kapurthala) Rana Gurjit Singh; MLA (Khadoor Sahib) Ramanjit Singh Sikki; MLA (Bhadaur) Mohamamd Sadique; MLA (Nawanshahr) Guriqbal Kaur; MLA (Samrala) Amrik Singh Dhilon and MLA (Nabha) Sadhu Singh Dharamsot.

Among former legislators present included ex-minister Chaudhary Jagjit Singh. Former MLAs Gurpreet Kangar, Makkhan Singh, Rana Kaypee, Kikki Dhillon and Razia Sultana and Comrade Nathu Ram were also in attendance as was president of the Punjab Youth Congress Vikram Chaudhary.

Being seen as an effort towards showing his ‘presence’ in the state, former chief minister today said he will be touring the state and mobilising the cadres to strengthen the party. The CWC member said he wanted to meet the party leaders from across the state in order to have a feedback from the grassroots.

Reliable sources said certain party workers told Amarinder Singh that the Bajwa group has asked them to pledge their support to him in a gurudwara. Amarinder is learnt to have assured them that he would take up the matter at the Central leadership.

The Bajwa camp said the exercise was a feeble attempt by Amarinder Singh to show his presence. The ‘small gathering’ showed that he had lost his base. “Senior leaders ignored Captain’s call”, said a leader.

Leader of the CLP Sunil Jakhar said “Since it was an informal get together where a dozen odd sitting MLAs and a few old hands were invited. It is wrong to interpret the numbers in today’s meeting having any political implications because the aim was just exchange of information on the ground situation before the forthcoming parliamentary elections”.

Former PPCC president Shamsher Singh Dullo said, “The differences between the CWC member and the PPCC president are unfortunate. Congress workers at the ground level are demoralised in the absence of a clear leadership. The party leadership in New Delhi will have to take in immediate call to assure workers”.

Patiala (rural) MLA Brahm Mohindra said, “The internal matter of party functioning was not required to be shown to the public.”