Congress hints at reconsidering jumbo list of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee

NEW DELHI: Congress indicated its willingness to reconsider the jumbo list of office bearers for Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee as the on-going crisis in the party's state unit deepened with resignation by leaders in few districts and some seniors venting their ire against it.

"Some people appear disgruntled. We are ready to iron out if there are any differences. If some important names have been omitted, we are ready consider it," AICC general secretary in-charge for Delhi Shakeel Ahmed told PTI.

The party general secretary at the same time did not hide his displeasure over some leaders voicing their opposition to the list, announced last month, in public saying "this is not good."

"If some people have grievances and concerns, they should raise it in party fora. Expressing unhappiness over the list or criticising it in public is not good," he said.

His remarks came a day after Punjab PCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa, who is under fire from the rebelling leaders met him at the AICC and explained his position.

When contacted Bajwa said that he as the PCC chief had only recommended the names. "At the end of the day, the AICC general secretary, the AICC secretary deliberated over the list and then it was cleared by party President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

"The list was there for two months. All senior leaders were consulted and many of their recommendations were accommodated."

He also lauded the new list saying it has given 33 per cent representation to those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and representatives of all sections have been included.

Bajwa claimed that this is the for the first time the Rai Sikh community, classified as Dalits, have also been given representation in the list.

The remarks by Ahmed and Bajwa came a day before the newly-constituted PPCC comprising 14 vice presidents, 35 general secretaries, 61 secretaries and 148 members, is set to meet on January 6 to prepare the strategy for Lok Sabha polls.

They said that the January 6 meeting of office bearers will be attended by of the PCC chief, Vice Presidents, general secretaries and secretaries. Since this is not a meeting of the Executive Committee, the 148-members are not attending it.

There are also reports that leaders like Jagmeet Brar and M M Singh Cheema have written to Sonia Gandhi pointing out anomalies in the list.

The party is also contemplating coming up with a disciplinary action committee for Punjab in a week. Ahmed, however, said that such committees are set up in all states.