AICC President Sonia Gandhi to meet three Congress stalwarts leading rival camps

By Vinay Sharma

CHANDIGARH: Punjab politics is keeping AICC President Sonia Gandhi busy this week with a slot a day booked by three Congress stalwarts leading rival camps, each lobbying to be the right claimant for the top party post in the state.


Gandhi heard former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and state president Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, and veteran leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is slated to meet her on Thursday. With hectic parleys underway, partymen hope a consensus candidate's choice will now be a matter of days -- a crucial decision that could shape the fortunes of the party in the 2017 state elections.

Former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal will be meeting Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi along with a blue print of an election strategy, but state Congressmen said senior leaders Lal Singh and Ambika Soni remain the preferred choices.

"High command is well aware of the political scenario in Punjab. She is set to take a call on the leadership and campaign incharge of Punjab. A decision at the right time can infuse a new energy in the party cadre. We can make out from the crowds our rallies are attracting in last few days. People are looking for a change and need good governance," Ms Bhattal told ET, while confirming that she will me meeting Sonia Gandhi on Thursday.

AICC general Secretary Shakeel Ahmed who has been struggling hard to keep the party united may also face eviction as party affairs incharge. Shakeel has been addressing PPCC rallies across the state, however, he couldn’t convince Captain Amarinder to join hands and share a common stage.

"I agree both Bajwa and Captain are doing separate rallies. But both are working in the interest of the party, so any leader has freedom to conduct as may rallies he wants, as long as it serves party’s interest," Shakeel Ahmed told ET.

However, some senior leaders differ. "We need strong leader at this moment, and Ghulam Nabi Azad can be the right choice," says a senior Congressman.

The leaders feel Congress can play its card well, and get into arrangement with other parties like Aam Aadmi Party , CPI and CPI(M) to woo the Dalit vote bank.