Jakhar’s elevation no surprise
Friday, 05/05/2017
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/politics/jakhar-s-elevation-no-surprise/402396.html
Chandigarh : The elevation of Sunil Jakhar as the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has come as no surprise. Bearing the stamp of approval of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the move is seen as political rehabilitation of Jakhar, who had withdrawn from the political scene after losing the Abohar seat in the recent elections.
The CM has prevailed upon AICC president Sonia Gandhi in deciding on the name of his confidant. He has also aptly tried to balance community equations by choosing a prominent Hindu face of the party.
“With the appointment of a confidant as the PPCC chief, Amarinder will be in control of things while functioning as the CM,” a senior leader said.
Since Amarinder has already declared that this would be his last political innings, the leadership is keen on restructuring the party structure to prepare itself for the 2019 Parliamentary elections.
Besides Jakhar, the high command was also considering the name of Ravneet Bittu for the post. But it was pointed out that appropriate representation should be given to non-Jat leaders.
“Since the CM is a Jat Sikh, it is important for the party to strike a balance to give representation to other communities such as the Hindus, Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBC),” said a senior leader.
Ever since Jakhar quit the post of Congress Legislature Party leader and later denied the Rajya Sabha seat despite recommendation by Amarinder, the former MLA was said to be upset with the party leadership. But everything now seems to be moving in the right direction for the state party.
Abohar celebrates
Abohar: Residents thronged the old grain market office of the Jakhar family to celebrate Sunil Jakhar’s elevation as PPCC president on Thursday. His nephew Sandeep Jakhar, former district Congress president, accepted the greetings. Congress activists burst crackers and distributed sweets outside the office. There were reports of celebrations in Jakhar family’s native villages Panjkosi and Maujgarh.
