Congress asks Jakhar to continue as PPCC chief

Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, Sept 14

Nearly four months after he resigned as Punjab Congress president former Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar was today asked by the party to continue in his position.

In a letter to Jakhar, AICC in charge of the state Asha Kumari said the Congress had not accepted his resignation and he should continue his “good work as usual”.

“You have submitted your resignation as president, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. The party does not accept your resignation and you are expected to carry on the good work as usual,” Asha Kumari said in a written communication to Jakhar, who had resigned taking moral responsibility for his defeat in the Gurdaspur parliamentary poll.

It is rare in the Congress to write official letters, turning down resignations of functionaries. Several office-bearers had resigned in the aftermath of Congress’ Lok Sabha debacle, but all of them are deemed to be continuing in their positions.

Jakhar, who met Congress president Sonia Gandhi recently, however, was intimated in writing today to get back to Punjab affairs given his earlier reluctance to serve as state chief due to varied reasons.

Jakhar, it is learnt, wanted to meet former party chief Rahul Gandhi before resuming work as PPCC chief formally because he had submitted the resignation to Rahul. The Tribune has, however, learnt that Sonia Gandhi told Jakhar to continue. The PPCC is meeting on September 17 to decide on the padyatra on Gandhi jayanti, agitation over the economic crisis and a membership drive.

Jakhar also attended the meeting Sonia chaired with CMs of Congress-ruled states, party unit presidents and general secretaries here on Friday.

In the past, Jakhar had in some meetings with Rahul Gandhi flagged governance gaps in the Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in the state. A major point Jakhar had earlier flagged was perceived slackness of government action against mafia in drug business in the state. Welcoming the party's decision, Capt Amarinder said the PPCC president continuation in office would further strengthen the party cadre.