Lead or accept younger chief: Congress to Captain Amarinder Singh

NEW DELHI: The Congress central leadership is in the process of firming up a delicate action-plan for revamping its faction-ridden Punjab unit that could leave Captain Amarinder Singh a tricky choice: Accept a younger PCC chief of the high command’s choice or slug it out 24X7 on the ground till the next assembly polls by becoming the PCC chief.

The dominant view favours removal of current PCC chief PS Bajwa, whom Singh as well other factions are gunning for. But AICC would insist that his replacement cannot be Lal Singh, seen as Amarinder Singh’s proxy candidate.

The delay in sacking Bajwa and naming Lal Singh as PCC chief coincides with 73-year-old Amarinder Singh’s increasing belligerence and public questioning of Rahul Gandhi’s ability to succeed Sonia Gandhi as party president.

All India Congress Committee leaders are busy finalising their decision amid speculation that the Captain was contemplating quitting Congress to float his own party. He has denied such reports, till now. Congress leaders argue that Singh should not be allowed to ‘run with the hares and hunt with the hounds’ even it meant braving a potential revolt.

"While we respect Amrinder Singhji’s seniority and fighting skills, let us also not forget two things: The Punjab Congress lost the last two assembly elections under his leadership. And that he was all praise for Rahulji when he went out of the way to announce Singh as the Congress’ CM candidate before the last polls", said an influential leader. While Bajwa’s removal needs to be only timed, the senior leader said Amarinder Singh cannot hope to have his old style: "Remaining indoors mostly and staking claim for the leadership on election eve".



This time, either he must offer to fight it out on the ground by leading the PCC himself till the 2017 January polls or, else be ready for AICC naming a younger leader of its choice for PCC. If Singh will not be ready to play by the AICC’s rule, its shortlist for a younger PCC chief includes someone from the Jat Sikh community, the leader added.