The long-drawn battle of supremacy between Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh seems to have ended.
Bajwa, along with the Congress legislative Party (ClP) leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar, was made to put in papers from their respective posts ahead of the much-awaited reshuffle in the State Congress unit on Thursday.
Party chief Sonia Gandhi has also accepted their resignations as Capt Amarinder's is all set to take over as the State chief.
"Yes, Bajwa and Sunil Jakhar have both resigned and their resignation have also been accepted by Soniaji," Congress general secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Shakeel Ahmad told The Pioneer.
It is believed that the announcement of a new team for Punjab would be made soon. The imminent rejig is likely to see 'Patiala Royal' Capt Amarinder elevated as the Punjab unit chief.
The development is significant as Sonia Gandhi has apparently tried to keep both the factions happy but with little reason to cheer, by making Capt Amarinder's staunch loyalist, Jakhar, to resign besides removing Bajwa from the party's top post.
Sources informed that Jakhar's resignation is a move to provide a face-saver for Bajwa that the reshuffle is aimed not just at him.
The process of sorting out the problem of infighting in the Punjab Congress started months back with congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi holding a series of meetings with Punjab MlAs, senior party leaders, district heads, block presidents, among others. He even gave a patient hearing to both Bajwa and Capt Amarinder.
That is not all! To assess the ground reality by himself, Rahul Gandhi made three recent visits to the state.
The announcement on Bajwa's removal came a couple of days after Capt Amarinder held one-to-one meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, reportedly to give a final shape to the new party unit in Punjab.
Both Jakhar and Bajwa were in the national capital on Thursday as the tale of supremacy unfolded itself in the Congress headquarters. As per available information, Bajwa submitted his resignation in person, while Jakhar was called up Ahmad to send in his resignation.
It is believed that the party high command is likely to balance things out by giving fair share to both camps.
The new organisational structure, which was to be announced on Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary on Wednesday, will be announced anytime now. The high command would name the state's new party chief, besides ClP leader, campaign committee chairman and convener. The PPCC chief may also have two vice-presidents to assist him.
The rivalry between Bajwa and Capt Amarinder is an open secret. Ever since Capt Amarinder was replaced by Bajwa following party's resounding defeat in 2012 polls, the former chief minister has been seeking his removal citing his incompetence to lead the party.
Enjoying support of majority of Congress MlAs and other senior leaders, Capt Amarinder has been spearheading "oust Bajwa" campaign after the latter failed to secure even a single win for party in back-to-back polls, 2014 parliamentary polls besides the bypolls and civic body elections.