Minimal changes in Cong recast, says Amarinder
Tuesday, 12/01/2016
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
New Delhi : The state Congress reconstitution is round the corner with PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh today submitting a list of proposed office-bearers to party vice-president Rahul Gandhi for his approval.
Amarinder said he was not making sweeping changes to the state unit and would take everyone along.
Asked if the new team would be on the lines of the previous one in terms of size (the previous team headed by Partap Bajwa had 292 members), Captain said: “I am making minimal changes. We are making few additions to balance regional and political interests. In fact the new team could be almost as big or small as the last one.”
Captain said the only category where he was making deletions was among the secretaries. “I have proposed to the leadership that all secretaries of the state unit should be aged 40 to 50 years. Senior-most people would be vice-presidents. I have recommended age criteria at every level. Like general secretaries should be next to vice-presidents also in age. Secretaries should be all young to steer the party into elections and lay the foundation of future leadership,” Amarinder said.
Asked if the new team would be announced by the end of this month, Captain said: “It will be announced much sooner considering the fact that elections are drawing closer.”
Meanwhile, top Congress leaders will participate in the January 14 Maghi Mela rally in Muktsar. Among those who will be present are general secretary in charge of Punjab Shakeel Ahmad, Amarinder, state campaign committee chief Ambika Soni, CLP leader Charanjit Channi and AICC secretary (Punjab) Harish Choudhry.
‘Peace talks must go on’
Amarinder said Indo-Pakistan talks must go on in the interest of peace. “These nitpicks will always be there. Anyone who doesn’t want peace will sabotage talks, especially the vested interests in the ISI and Pakistan Army. Also BSF personnel should be rotated on the borders every year instead of two to prevent drug traffickers from developing a nexus,” he said.
