Cong suspends Bir Devinder

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 31

A day after senior Congress leader Bir Devinder Singh resigned as coordinator of the party’s panel for electronic media debates, PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh today suspended him from the primary membership of the party.

A committee headed by Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa with Ajaib Singh Bhatti and Rana KP Singh as members has been constituted to look into the charges against the leader.

Bir Devinder has been asked to reply to the committee by April 7 as to why further action should not be taken against him.

Amarinder said indiscipline in the party would not be tolerated. “It is a clear message for all. If anyone has any issue, we can discuss it. Internal matters are not to be discussed publicly.”

“Bir Devinder, without consulting the party leadership, has set up his party office in Ghanaur. I had told to contest from any other seat, except Ghanaur,” the PPCC chief said.

Bir Devinder had been vocal against Amarinder over his “inaccessibility”. Sources in the party said the case of action against another party leader Jagmeet Brar had been sent to the high command. Since he is a member of the AICC, the PPCC can not technically act against him. Amarinder has confirmed that he has taken up the matter with the top leadership.

Ex-Dy Speaker meets Prashant Kishor

Patiala: Soon after he was suspended from the primary membership of the party, Bir Devinder Singh today held a closed-door meeting with party's poll strategist Prashant Kishor. They discussed in detail the circumstances that led to his suspension. A senior Congress leader confirmed that the meeting between the two took place with the knowledge of the party high command and Capt Amarinder Singh. Sources say the two met in Mohali and the meeting lasted for an hour wherein Bir Devinder told Kishor that the one-sided communication "is not good for the state Congress ahead of the elections". Bir Devinder is learnt to have told Kishor that since Amarinder "should not only be more communicative with his party men but also listen to their grievances and suggestions".  Bir Devinder said: "I cannot divulge the details of the meeting, but I can say that the high command is in the know of the things."   — Aman Sood