Putting to rest all speculations regarding change in Punjab Congress leadership, the party High Command on Tuesday made it clear that no proposal of change of guard in the State is under consideration — at least for the time being.
AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, Shakeel Ahmed, who was in the city to attend the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) officer-bearers’ first meeting after the lok Sabha poll debacle, categorically said: “There is no proposal of any change at the PCC or Congress legislative Party (ClP) level … no such proposal is under consideration.”
Speculations were rife that considering the Punjab Congress’ “poor show” despite fielding party stalwarts and strong anti-incumbency factor against the ruling SAD-BJP combine, the party High Command may make changes in the State leadership.Post-parliamentary polls, several party leaders had raised their voice mounting pressure on the State party chief Partap Singh Bajwa, who lost to BJP’s Vinod Khanna from Gurdaspur parliamentary seat, to step down.
Maintaining that the “matter has been sorted out”, Ahmed said that he had met the MlAs who revolted against Bajwa. “I have talked to them…they met me….notices were served to them…..they have given their replies to me which I will forward….the matter has now been sorted out.”“Both those MlAs were present at the meeting today,” added Ahmed while indicating at senior party leaders and MlAs Kewal Singh Dhillon and Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi. Ahmed also admitted that there was lack of discipline in the party, but at the same time, he assured that things are on the way of improving.