Congress engaged in backend dialogue to placate Captain Amarinder Singh

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29

Even as Capt Amarinder Singh has announced the launch of a new outfit, senior Congress leaders are learnt to be engaged in backend talks to persuade the former CM to stay in the party.

A senior Congress leader from Haryana and an AICC general secretary are learnt to be involved in the exercise to convince the party leadership to retain the former CM. In this regard, the former CM has met at least two senior leaders and talked to some other leaders only recently.

Though there is no official confirmation from the AICC in this regard, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is also said to be of the opinion that the former CM should be retained in the party.

“We are weighing various options that may come into play should Captain Amarinder formally leave or remain in the party,” said a party leader.

Party insiders say the leadership does not want the former CM to field candidates against the party nominees, as it will lead to division of cadre vote.

“Since the former CM will be looking for disgruntled Congress leaders who are denied party ticket, it will result in eating into party’s cadre votes,” said a senior party leader privy to the discussions. Confirming that the former Chief Minister had received calls from a senior party leader, one of his close aides said he had not given his mind so far. He is waiting for the meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and a favourable solution to the farmers’ stir.

The ex-CM has already announced his decision to field candidates in all 117 segments or go for seat-sharing with the BJP or a breakaway Akali faction. Capt Amarinder has stated many Punjab Congress MLAs are in touch with him. A confidant of the former CM says they have asked the leaders to hold back till an amicable solution to the farmers’ stir is announced.

Fears division of cadre vote

• Congress leadership does not want the ex-CM to field candidates against party nominees as it will lead to division of cadre vote, say insiders
• Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is said to be of the opinion that the ex-CM should be retained in the party, it is learnt

List of district chiefs soon

• The list of district presidents and other PCC office-bearers will be announced as soon as the AICC approves it, said a senior leader
• The issue was discussed at a meeting between CM Charanjit Singh Channi and RS MP Ambika Soni in Delhi. He was accompanied by Punjab affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary
• The CM also met AICC treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal and general secretary in charge of Rajasthan Ajay Maken. Channi later flew back
• Other key matters discussed included differences between Channi and PCC chief Navjot Sidhu on contentious issues, including replacing A-G and picking candidates. Sidhu may be called to Delhi on Saturday