Punjab crisis: Demand for Amarinder to call meeting of all Congress MLAs

The tussle for supremacy in the Punjab Congress unit, between Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and state party chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, is continuing.

On Tuesday, over 30 MLAs, including four ministers in the Amarinder Singh government, called for a change of chief minister on the grounds that promises made during the last Assembly polls could not be fulfilled.

The four ministers—Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi—are set to meet Harish Rawat, the Congress in-charge for Punjab, in Dehradun on Wednesday.

The Tribune reported the four ministers could travel to Delhi after meeting with Rawat to seek an audience with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Rawat attempted to project an optimistic approach to the crisis. Rawat was quoted by ANI as saying, "When we brought in changes in PCC, we had an idea about possible issues that can come up. We'll find a solution. Everyone trusts Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. We'll look into the matter and try to resolve it... 4.5 years have passed by. It was good. But suddenly what has happened, why a large number of MLAs are disappointed? We will see and find a solution to it."

Congress MLA Pargat Singh declared there was resentment among party legislators in Punjab. Pargat Singh said, "I suggest that Congress high command under the supervision of AICC observer, CM should call a meeting of all MLAs and decide after discussing with them."

Pargat Singh said he would also go to Delhi. Pargat was quoted by ANI as saying, "Definitely, some people have gone to Delhi and I'll also go there. There is no problem with it. We shouldn't divert the issues. Captain Amarinder Singh is our CM and we don't disagree with it, but work has to be done."

Pargat Singh, a former national hockey player, is considered a loyalist of Sidhu and was made general secretary (organisation) of the party's state unit recently.

The demand for seeking replacement of the CM has pushed the Punjab Congress into a fresh crisis. It also indicated that the party's recent efforts to quell dissent in the state unit with Sidhu's appointment have come a cropper.

Bajwa, who is leading the disgruntled group of leaders, on Tuesday, had said they would seek time to meet the Congress president and apprise her of the political situation.

He had also said "drastic" steps need to be taken and if there is a need to change the chief minister, then it should be done. When asked whether an attempt was being made to oust the chief minister, Bajwa had told reporters it's not an attempt but the demand of people.