Fearing dissent, Cong may delay political postings

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

As the Punjab Congress leadership today began the exercise of mobilising the party cadre ahead of the impending Lok Sabha polls, the much-awaited political appointments in the Congress government seems to have been brushed under the carpet, at least for the time being.

Wary of backlash from those to be left out, a senior leader of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) said the party was in two minds over getting through with the appointments or wait till the parliamentary elections were over.

After announcing the members of the district-level committees, the party had planned to roll out the political appointments of Improvements Trusts. Refusing to be drawn into the controversy, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Sunil Jakhar said, “Everyone will come to know, once the appointments are made.”

A Cabinet minister said not only the chairmen of the Improvement Trusts, boards and corporations were to be appointed, the appointment of the chairmen of market committees, zila parishads was also awaited.

“Adjustments of various caste and regional permutations are delaying the list,” said another senior leader involved in the exercise.

General secretary incharge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari on being asked about the delay in the political appointments, said, “Ask the question to the Chief Minister.”

Asha Kumari was today at the Punjab Congress Bhavan to chair a meeting of the newly appointed presidents of the District Congress Committees, ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of Cabinet ministers, MLAs, sitting and former district unit heads to be chaired by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.