Day on, Cong in firefighting mode

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 22

After boycotting the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, the disgruntled MLAs refused to budge as party leadership spent the day firefighting.

In the light of Dalit sammelan in Delhi on Monday, which will be attended by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the state leadership is working hard to ensure that the annoyed MLAs, particularly Dalits, do not pose any trouble. The party is also mobilising supporters for a national-level rally on April 29.

PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar and Punjab affairs incharge Asha Kumari and Harish Chaudhary are camping here to address the grievances of the leaders. Amritsar West MLA Raj Kumar Verka and Deputy Speaker Ajiab Singh Bhatti met them on Sunday.

Verka said he had already raised the issue of “under-representation” to the Dalits in the Cabinet.

Capt Sandeep Sandhu, political secretary to CM, has also been roped in to talk to the annoyed MLAs, including Sangat Singh Gilzian, Nathu Ram and Surinder Singh Dhiman. The three MLAs have already resigned from party posts over “inadequate representation to the Dalits” in the state Cabinet.