Ahead of meeting the Congress high command in Delhi, four 'rebel' Cabinet ministers, who were demanding change of guard in Punjab just ahead of polls to brighten the prospects of the party in the state, on Wednesday reached Dehradun to meet with AICC general secretary Harish Rawat.
The four ministers -- Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria -- a day earlier said here with the support of at least 20 other Congress legislators their main demand is to 'replace' Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
They said they wanted to apprise the high command over the widespread dissidence among the party ranks. They were categorically clear in saying after the closed door meeting that it was high time for the party to opt for a change of guard.
Their main grudge, among others, with the Chief Minister and his aides was unfulfilled poll promises, particularly the delay in action in the 2015 sacrilege and police firing cases.
However, responding to media questions, Harish Rawat made a clear stance that when changes in PCC were declared; they had an idea about possible issues that can come up. But we’ll find a solution. Everyone trusts Sonia Gandhi and Rahul, we’ll look into the matter and everyone would be given a chance to keep their issues.
“Four and a half years have passed by. It was good. But suddenly what has happened, why a large number of MLAs are disappointed? We will see and find a solution to it.", he added.
Rawat told the media that Amarinder Singh had welcomed party state President Navjot Singh Sidhu himself, and the decision on elevation was not taken without the CM's approval.
"We have given the party leadership to Sidhu but not the Congress to him," Rawat was categorically clear in saying about any move to change the Chief Minister ahead of the assembly polls slated in early 2022.
Channi told the media that the panel, authorised by the other legislators, would seek time from the Congress high command to listen to their grievances, otherwise it will be difficult for the party to get a repeat in Punjab.
Also Read: Pargat Singh urges Congress High Command to send AICC observer to review ongoing crisis
He said the MLAs have also raised a number of issues, including the existence of sand, drug, cable and transport mafias.
Late in the evening on Tuesday, seven of the 20-odd MLAs and ex-MLAs, who were purportedly party to the demand for the removal of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, categorically disassociated themselves from any such move.