In the latest development to Punjab politics, the infighting within the state Congress has escalated yet again. As many as 40 Congress MLAs penned a letter to the party high command demanding
a Punjab Congress's Legislature Party (CLP) meet.
According to the sources, the Congress high command's 18-point formula is to be discussed in the meeting. However, the meeting will mainly focus on revolt against Capt Amarinder Singh
and distrust of MLAs on his leadership in the state. The dissatisfied MLAs have also requested a central observer to be present in the legislature party meeting.
Earlier, Punjab PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu’s controversial advisor Malvinder Singh Mali had also advised the same to disgruntled MLAs and Ministers.
The letter is reportedly written on the behalf of disgruntled party MLAs and ministers including Tript Rajinder Bajwa and Sukhjinder Randhawa, Pargat Singh and others from Sidhu’s
camp. All the ministers revolting against Capt were obliged to sign the letter.
Meanwhile, a 13-member committee led by CM Amarinder and Navjot Sidhu has been formed for the Punjab Congress unit. However, the meeting has been cancelled for the third time in a row which
indicates that Sidhu's camp is not looking forward to the session.
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Earlier, at the end of August, over four state cabinet ministers along with dozens of MLAs had opened a revolt against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. The anti-Capt delegation claimed that
they had lost faith in Capt Amarinder as pre-poll promises have not been fulfilled yet, implying that he should be replaced.
The demand to remove Captain from the chief minister's chair was aired however the party high command stood by Amarinder. Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat confirmed that Capt Amarinder
Singh will remain the face of state unit and upcoming 2022 assembly elections will be fought under the latter’s leadership.
August month was proved extremely difficult for Capt Amarinder as well as Congress and the crisis are still far from over. With less than six months in state polls, the party leadership
has failed in manifesting a united image in Punjab.
Despite best efforts to placate factions, first by appointing Sidhu as PPCC president and later by declaring Amarinder Singh as the party's election face, things have not gone as planned.
If the situation is not reined in time, the party might face heavy loss in polls.