Rahul Gandhi, the Congress national vice-president, is in favour of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa remaining on the crease in the not-so-friendly political match between him and his bête noire Capt Amarinder Singh — at least for the time being. Bajwa, who met Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, has been reportedly asked to concentrate on the job. But, indications are that the final decision by the Congress high command may be to the contrary. Bajwa may eventually be replaced by another political player acceptable to both warring sides.
Peeved by the anti-Bajwa campaign being led by former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh in the state, the state Congress chief has met Rahul Gandhi to apprise him of the current state of affairs in Punjab in general and the party in particular in their half-an-hour long meeting. Already in the know of things and the ongoing war of supremacy between the topmost leaders in Punjab, sources told The Pioneer that Rahul Gandhi has asked Bajwa “not to worry” and “carry on with his work”.
In fact, the national leader discussed various political issues with Bajwa and asked to galvanize the party cadre and the state farmers against the BJP-led NDA government’s land ordinance, besides discoursing over the forthcoming civic body polls. “Rahul Gandhi has asked Bajwa to organize a state level farmers’ conference in the state in the coming months against the Narendra Modi-government’s decision on land Acquisition Act in which he would also participate,” said a senior Congress leader.
The leader said that Rahul Gandhi has also asked to invite various farmers’ organizations, not only from Punjab, but from across the country, for the conference, to press for their demand against the “anti-farmer” Act. Besides staging protest against the amended land acquisition act, Rahul had maintained that they would also raise the demand for implementing Swaminathan committee recommendations.
It has been learnt that Bajwa has apprised the Gandhi scion about the party’s efforts to widening the gulf between SAD and the BJP, besides party’s plans to gherao BJP national president Amit Shah during his Punjab visit. Bajwa has also believed to have blamed Capt Amarinder for derailing the party’s aggressive campaign on drugs, that had put the ruling combine on back foot, by demanding CBI probe.
It is also believed that deliberations were also held regarding civic body polls, scheduled to be held in February. Even as Bajwa refused to divulge any details regarding the meeting except that he has been asked to work for the party, considering the set of instructions Rahul Gandhi has given him and their discussion over party's future plans, it seems that he would remain in the saddle as of now.
Bajwa’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi came in the backdrop oust-Bajwa campaign gaining steam after Capt Amarinder came openly demanded his removal as PPCC chief after meeting Congress national president Sonia Gandhi. In an apparent attempt to show his strength, the Deputy leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party held a luncheon meeting at his Moti Bagh Palace in Patiala which was attended by 34 of the 44 MlAs besides other senior party leaders.
Amritsar MP has virtually challenged Bajwa’s authority by announcing to organize an anti-drug rally against the SAD-BJP government on January 22 in Amritsar terming it as “purely a constituency rally”. On the other hand, Bajwa has all along been claiming that Congress’ January 22 rally in Amritsar was already announced by him, and the same would be held under the “PPCC umbrella”.
Capt Amarinder has candidly maintained that to bring back Congress on victory path in Punjab, Bajwa’s removal is vital. The senior leader has also made it clear to the powers-that-be that he would not work with Bajwa. Available information suggests that the party high command is seriously considering Capt Amarinder’s demand, and is looking for Bajwa’s replacement. It has been learnt that the party is considering the option of replacing Capt Amarinder as party’s deputy leader in the Parliament and appoint him as campaign committee head in Punjab.
At the same time, the party is also juggling between various suitable names to head the state Congress unit. It is believed that the party would zero in on the name which is acceptable to both Capt Amarinder and Bajwa camps. Sources in the party maintained that any change in the state leadership would be made after crucial delhi assembly polls, scheduled for February 7.