Congress mulls Hindu face at poll panel helm

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16

In the backdrop of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and other senior party leaders seeking due representation to the Hindu community in the Punjab Congress’ overhaul formulation, the party high command is learnt to be working on putting up a prominent responsibility to a Hindu face as the chairman of the campaign committee that will play an important role in the run-up to the elections.

At key posts in 2017

• Ambika Soni (Hindu) Campaign Committee Chairman
• Capt Amarinder Singh (Jat Sikh) PPCC president
• Charanjit Singh Channi (Dalit) Leader of Oppn

Ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections, senior party leader Ambika Soni was the chairman of campaign committee, while Capt Amarinder was PPCC president and a Dalit face, Charanjit Singh Channi, was then the Leader of Opposition (CLP). While working on the truce resolution to placate Capt Amarinder and Navjot Singh Sidhu, the party high command is also considering suggestions and observations given by the Chief Minister.

Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari posted the demographic details of Punjab’s dominant communities, seeking to urge the top leadership to keep the non-Jat Sikh class in mind while effecting a change in an election year.

Punjab is secular

Demographics of Punjab: 1. Sikhs: 57.75 %, 2. Hindus: 38.49%, 3. Dalits: 31:94 % (Sikh & Hindus); Punjab is both progressive & SECULAR. —Manish Tewari, Congress MP

Another Hindu leader, Anish Sidana, said: “Hindus, Arora Khatri Sikhs, Dalits and OBC constitute a major vote share. They should be given representation.”

A senior party leader said the party leadership was aware about the concerns of the significant communities such as the Hindus, OBC and Dalits.

The formula of three working presidents — a Dalit (Mazhabi Sikh), a Hindu and an OBC — under PCC chief was part of the balance formula. They may be tasked with overseeing Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions. Apart from the Cabinet, there are other important committees that would see adjustments.

Rebel minister meets amarinder

Amid tensions among the rival camps in the Punjab Congress, minister Sukhbinder Sarkari along with MLA Kiki Dhillon is learnt to have met the Chief Minister on Friday. The meeting signals efforts by the party high command for ensuring peace between the rival factions as Sarkaria was among the dissident ministers

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