A new formula is expected to be evolved for Punjab Congress to keep both the warring factions in the State unit happy following a virtual war between them affecting the party's fortunes.
Peeved over the growing discontentment between the senior leadership in the State resulting in repeated electoral failures, the Congress high command is pondering over the idea of handing over election-related work to the rebel groups while leaving the organisational matters with the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief — a move aimed at striking a balance of power between both sides.
“The party high command is just considering the idea of dividing power between both sides. They are thinking that if election management work is given to the rival group with party chief concentrating only on organisational work, it may help in maintaining checks and balances within the party,” a senior Congress leader told The Pioneer, requesting anonymity.
The leader maintained that the idea is just in the initial stages and have not discussed with the party national chief Sonia Gandhi yet. “It’s something suggested by someone. But, some senior leaders are seriously considering over it as they feel that it may resolve the growing infighting between the party, not only in Punjab, but in other States too,” the leader said.
At the same time, the leader maintained that the party high command would keep a close check on the arrangement.The battle for supremacy between two power centers within the party unit in Punjab — PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa and his predecessor and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh — has been going on since long.
The equations changed after the Congress’ tally in Punjab tumbled down from eight during 2009 polls to just three in 2014 general elections under Bajwa’s leadership while BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley’s defeat by Capt Amarinder acted as a little comfort for the party.
Amritsar win gave a fillip to Capt Amarinder’s status within the party, fortifying his support base, that has witnessed a downfall ever since he was replaced by former Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa.
The clamour to oust Bajwa also gained momentum following party’s pitiable performance during lok Sabha elections as Bajwa even failed to secure his own seat.The things became worse with the Congress Deputy leader in lok Sabha, considered close to the Gandhi family, coming out in open to seek Bajwa’s removal after his meeting with Sonia Gandhi.
Not only this, a good majority of state Congress MlAs, in their meeting with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, demanded to take away the party reigns from Bajwa and hand over the same to Patiala Royal.
Sources informed that the party may not remove Bajwa as of now, at least till Dhuri bypoll, that are expected to be held in May. As a stopgap arrangement, they will give the responsibility of election management to the rival groups, headed by Capt Amarinder, while the PPCC chief would take care of the organizational affairs.
The move, Congressmen believed, would weaken the state part chief’s position, but may allow both sides to work for the party’s win. The development assumes significance as several party leaders had alleged some leaders of working against the party candidates that led to party’s embarrassing performance in the State despite string anti-incumbency wave against the ruling SAD-BJP combine.
Owing to strong infighting and some other strong factors, the party has been out of power in Punjab since 2007. The party lost two consecutive state Assembly polls — in 2007 and 2012, besides 2014 lok Sabha polls, and several by-elections that held between this period. It is believed that if the party failed to rein in the dissidents and internal strife, it may once again be seen occupying Opposition benches.