Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has called five senior Punjab Congress leaders for a meeting on Sunday, ahead of an anticipated reset of the party's state unit. The formal announcement is expected before Tuesday, when Gandhi is scheduled to leave for a planned visit abroad.
Leaders summoned for consultation
Party insiders confirmed that the five leaders summoned include Punjab Congress President Amarinder Raja Warring, Assembly Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, and former ministers Sukhjinder Randhawa and Vijay Inder Singla. Gandhi is expected to discuss the functioning of the state unit and seek their input ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
“The top leadership wants to make sure all the senior leaders are on board before making any announcement and avoid leaving leaders feeling unheard,” party sources said.
Timing and background of the reset
The development comes hours after a crucial discussion on the findings of a report submitted by a three-member panel of party observers headed by Ajay Maken. Gandhi, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, and AICC General Secretary (Punjab) Bhupesh Baghel were present at the meeting held at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Discussions focused on various combinations and permutations to accommodate the warring factions within the state unit.
“Before taking the final call, Gandhi is expected to hold another round of consultations with senior leaders,” a source said.
Strategic considerations for Punjab
Sources indicated that the party is keeping in mind the Bharatiya Janata Party's aggressive strategy for Punjab, the need to adjust Jat Sikh leaders in light of the faceoff between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Akal Takht, and the importance of giving due representation to Hindu and Dalit faces.
A senior leader noted that the BJP appears to be working to split the Sikh vote, particularly the radical vote bank. “The Aam Aadmi Party is working on similar lines. Representation of the Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions while adjusting Jat Sikh, Hindu, Dalit and OBC leaders will be major factors,” the leader added.
