Assembly polls over, PPCC revamp on cards

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 11

A good show by the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Assembly polls has raised the hopes of early changes in the organisational structure of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC).

Party MLAs and leaders are hoping a greater role of the committee in deciding political appointments, so far largely being given to retired bureaucrats.

Political analysts do not rule out an early decision on whether to replace PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.

“With party president Rahul Gandhi in a better commanding position now, several disgruntled leaders feel that now focus will be more on states where the party will be forming the government,” observed a senior Congress leader.

For the last 20 months, certain legislators and leaders have been knocking at the doors of the high command for being “ignored”.

Leaders feel that the long-awaited restructuring of the district units will now come through. Replacing the presidents of 28 district units is part of PPCC’s restructuring plan. With the 2019 elections on mind, efforts will now be to adjust loyalists of various pressure groups, including those supported by senior leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Ambika Soni.

Spotlight on Sidhu 

With the party’s good show in three states, spotlight is once again on Navjot Singh Sidhu for his 17-day hectic campaigning before he hurt his vocal cords.  Party sources say Sidhu is in for a bigger role in the party ahead of the LS polls.