Leaders from Doaba rally behind Capt

Monday, 12/01/2015

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Jalandhar : In an overt move seeking change of guard, senior Congress leaders from Doaba on Sunday openly announced that former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh should lead Punjab Congress if the party wanted to come to power in 2017 Assembly polls.

The senior Congress leaders, while backing Capt Amarinder, maintained that though Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Chief Partap Singh Bajwa was heading the state Congress but it was the former CM, who could change the fortunes of the party.

On Sunday, Congress leaders from Doaba among the 37 MLAs and 50 ex-MLAs and senior leaders made it to the luncheon meeting held by Capt Amarinder at his residence in Patiala. Capt Amarinder, who is the Amritsar MP, announced to hold a parallel ‘Lalkar Rally’ in Amritsar on January 22, when BJP national President Amit Shah would lead an anti-drugs campaign from the holy city.

Former cabinet minister Amarjit Singh Samra, who attended the lunch, said that the rise of Punjab Congress was possible only under the leadership of Capt Amarinder. “We would put up a grand show of strength in Amritsar and make the BJP realise that the Congress is going to win the 2017 Assembly polls,” he said.

Samra said that not just the Congress leaders and workers but even the aggrieved Akalis wanted Capt Amarinder to be the next CM of Punjab. “Bajwa’a announcement of PPCC jumbo executive list also backfired, as entire leadership was angry with him leading to mass resigns of leaders,” he added.

However, when asked about Bajwa, he said, “Bajwa is trying to lead a separate faction within the Punjab Congress. Not just the leaders, but the people of Punjab also want that Capt should head the Punjab Congress.” Doaba Incharge and Banga MLA Tarlochan Soond also said that the message was evident that Capt Amarinder should lead the Punjab Congress. He said that the gathering of senior leaders from Doaba at the lunch had given a clear message seeking change of guard.

Jalandhar Rural President Jagbir Brar, who was brought to the Congress by Capt Amarinder ahead of the 2012 Assembly polls also said that the ‘Lalkar Rally’ would witness a huge show of strength. “Our leader is Capt Amarinder and the Lalkar Rally has the backing of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi. We have declared our support to Capt Amarinder,” he said.

On being questioned whether the PPCC chief was also likely to announce a major party program against drug menace on January 14 at Maghi Mela in Muktsar, Brar said, “Bajwa is already holding such dharnas in the state against drugs menace but he has never held any district level meetings to chalk out the strategy,” he said.

Punjab Youth Congress President Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary also maintained that they have extended their support to Capt Amarinder for the rally, which would give a major boost.