Rahul-Capt meet signals larger role for veterans

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 28

When newly appointed Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh called on party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to thank him, the latter responded by warmly hugging him.

The hug, which Rahul’s twitter handle proudly flaunted within minutes of the meeting, bore two important political messages. First, Rahul’s equation with Amarinder is strong and he has fully trusted him with Punjab leadership and the second, Congress elders will have major roles as Rahul rises in party hierarchy.

It is for the second message that Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s Punjab appointments are crucial. The fact that Sonia and Rahul both settled for two septuagenarians, Capt Amarinder and Ambika Soni, to steer the party and its campaign in the crucial Punjab elections, once and for all settles the acrimonious debate around the old versus new in the Congress.

“All eyes were on the reshuffle to see which way the tide flows. The appointments signal what Rahul has been repeatedly emphasising, the fact that he will combine the energy of the youth with the vigour of experience to create a vibrant party to fight the BJP,” a senior Congress leader said.

Capt thanked Rahul for “heeding the voice of Punjab leaders and acting in state’s interest”. The former CM spent the day at his Janpath residence greeting supporters, including legislators Sunil Jakhar, Rana Sodhi and Kewal Dhillon.

Senior leader Rajinder Bhattal was conspicuous by her absence but told the Tribune on phone, “I hail the reshuffle. Who got what is not important. Staying united and winning Punjab is.”