AICC in-charge of Punjab affairs Harish Rawat tweeted late on Friday: “CLP meeting has been called on Sept 18 at 5 PM at the office of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. AICC directs PPCC to facilitate this meeting. All Congress MLAs of Punjab are requested to kindly attend this meeting.
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Office. AICC directs PPCC to facilitate this meeting. All Congress MLAs… https://t.co/1quwjyjTfY
— Harish Rawat (@harishrawatcmuk) 1631902162000
The AICC’s decision was taken after a section of Congress MLAs, including some ministers, most of whom are opponents of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, were constantly pressing for a change in guard in Punjab’s administrative matters.
The crisis in the Punjab Congress, which had been going on for months, was made worse last month after nearly two dozen party legislators, including four cabinet ministers, declared an open rebellion against Amarinder, saying they did not believe he would Will be able to fulfill election promises. . He also accused the Chief Minister of conspiring with the Shiromani Akali Dal president. Sukhbir Singh Badal.
There is no clarity as to what prompted the AICC to intervene and direct the CLP to hold a meeting on Saturday after “dissenters” were put to rest.
The legislators demanding a CLP meeting have been arguing that they want to discuss the party’s strategy for the 2022 assembly elections. They are approaching the party high command regarding the demand. At the same time, the CM’s camp is also not inclined to give such a platform to the MLAs.
Congressmen caught the latest round of slugfest in the state
Many legislators are expected to raise issues that may embarrass the Congress government – in the assembly session but it was decided to convene only a one-day special session. There is still no word on holding the long session despite demands from within the Congress.
Soon after Rawat’s tweet, Sidhu also tweeted, “As per the instructions of AICC, Congress Legislature Party meeting has been called at PPCC office in Chandigarh.”
A section of Punjab Congress leaders, who had started focusing on their constituencies in the past few weeks, believe that there could be a fresh tussle between different groups in the state unit.
Disgruntled cabinet ministers, most of whom were not attending cabinet meetings, were dealt a blow when Rawat last month made it clear that the 2022 state assembly elections would be fought under Amarinder’s command. However, he immediately changed his stand when challenged by Punjab MLA Pargat Singh.
At the same time, Amarinder is also trying to get the support of party MPs and MLAs through several meetings.
Sidhu has avoided open criticism of the chief minister and the state government since Rawat’s last visit to Chandigarh in early September. Rawat tagged both Sidhu and Amarinder in his tweet.
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