Will quit if it helps party: Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 11

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Jakhar today offered to resign if it strengthened the party.

The move comes a day after the AICC-appointed three-member Mallikarjun Kharge panel submitted its recommendations to the Congress president, suggesting that CM Capt Amarinder Singh should lead the party in the election year and Navjot Singh Sidhu should be suitably accommodated.

On being asked in the context of reports on replacing the PPCC chief, Jakhar said he was ready to make any sacrifice for the party and would not become a blockade in the process. “Congress will fight the Assembly elections in Punjab with full strength. Since day one, I have been saying that if appointing someone else as the PPCC chief strengthens the party, it should be done,” he said, while participating in a protest against the hike in diesel and petrol prices.

Hindu or Dalit face?

The Kharge panel has suggested that the CM should lead the party in the poll year and Navjot Sidhu must be suitably accommodated

But the CM has opposed Sidhu being made the PPCC chief. Sources say there are little chances of Jakhar being replaced

If Jakhar is replaced, the role could be given to either a Hindu or a Dalit face

Jakhar’s statement gains weight in the wake of reports suggesting that all sections of society are represented in the leadership and party positions, including restructuring of the PPCC. Though the Kharge panel has sought suitable accommodation of Sidhu, the CM has opposed him being made the PPCC chief. Sources said under the given circumstances, there were little chances of Jakhar being replaced. In the eventuality of replacing Jakhar, the role could be given to either a Hindu or a Dalit face.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Kharge held a virtual meeting with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today. Earlier, the PPCC chief stated that PM Narendra Modi’s arrogance in power was devastating India. “Even after lakhs of people died, the Centre has not woken up from its slumber and now by hiking petrol and diesel prices, it has started to break the back of the common man economically,” he said.

He said in the past 13 months the rate of petrol has gone up by Rs 25.72, while that of diesel by Rs 23.93. Taking on the Centre over the vaccine policy, he said it was the sum of unbearable errors of judgement.

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