Fireworks likely during Rahul’s visit today

Thursday, 16/10/2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141016/punjab.htm#2

Chandigarh : With state Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa claiming full backing of the party high command, his camp is upbeat ahead of the one-day visit of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to the city tomorrow.

The Capt Amarinder Singh camp is also gearing up to rally around him after a confirmation was received in the evening that he would attend a meeting with Rahul as the condition of his mother has improved.

Bajwa has directed district and block presidents to conduct periodical meetings and pulled some district units, including Patiala, for delayed organisation of a meeting. Rahul would meet district and block presidents at the Congress Bhawan immediately after addressing a function of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) at Panjab University, Chandigarh.

However, fireworks are expected in the post-lunch session where Rahul would meet MLAs and MPs. All eyes are on the Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha and Amritsar MP Capt Amarinder Singh on whether he and his supporter MLAs would take up the issue of change of leadership of the state unit.

Bajwa told mediapersons that he had the backing of Rahul Gandhi. "After he took over as the party vice-president, I was among the first leaders appointed by him. I have his backing. I don't indulge in groupism. My aim is to galvanise the party for forthcoming elections," he said.

Bajwa also announced a schedule of monthly meetings to be followed by district and block units. He announced that the party would launch agitations over issues concerning the masses and abuse of power by the Akalis.

An MLA who is a close confidant of Bajwa said that Rahul's visit was quite significant as it would make a statement on whose writ ran in the state unit. "We are pitching for unity and for a leader who stays in the state, not one who remains away most of the time," he said.

An MLA in the Amarinder Singh camp said they had their points ready to question the leadership of Bajwa. "We have a simple and straight point to make that how can someone who regularly needs the high command's support to run the party can fight with the Akalis," he said.

The stage is set

Rahul Gandhi will meet MLAs and MPs in a post-lunch session

Capt Amarinder Singh and his supporter MLAs are likely to take up the issue of change of state unit leadership with him

State Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa has been claiming that he has the backing of the party vice-president