Amid ongoing infighting in Punjab Congress, a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has been scheduled for today. According to sources, this meet could pose trouble for Chief
Minister Capt Amarinder Singh as a high number of MLAs are demanding his removal.
The meeting will begin at 5 pm today, September 18.
The Congress Legislature Party meeting is being organised to discuss the party high command's 18-point formula, however, revolt against Capt Amarinder Singh and distrust of MLAs
on his leadership in the state is in focus.
According to sources, in the name of the 18-point formula, the anti-capt camp can move a no-confidence motion against CM pushing the party high command to take a big decision.
In the midst of a political stir in the state, all eyes stay on CLP meeting. Here are three possibilities of what could happen as the meeting begins.
AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab affairs Harish Rawat announced the CLP meet late at night, causing a stir in political circles. Mr Rawat along with two observers from Delhi-
Harish Chaudhary and Ajay Maken will attend the meet.
These two observers are said to be close confidants of Rahul Gandhi.
It is expected that party leadership, might discuss the issues of disgruntled MLAs and MPs, and provide a solution without removing CM Amarinder Singh from his chair. According to sources,
the observers along with Punjab AICC in charge, Rawat will once again try to placate factions without causing much damage to the party and ending the revolt.
Earlier, the senior leaders tried the same- first by appointing Sidhu as PPCC president and later by declaring Amarinder Singh as the party's election face. However, things did not
go as planned.
Notably, this is the last chance for the anti-Capt delegation to remove Amarinder Singh from CM’s chair.
Also Read: Will revolting MLAs move no-confidence motion against CM Amarinder Singh?
As Rawat last night announced CLP meet, Capt Amarinder Singh summoned his close MLAs to Siswan Farm House for a meeting. Capt’s camp is devising a strategy to deal with the probable
no-confidence motion by the rebel group.
In the last 10 hours, Capt’s camp has been active and is trying to lobby MLAs.
Earlier, when three ministers- Sukhjinder Randhawa, Tript Rajinder Bajwa and Sukh Sarkaria, led the revolt against Captain, he had put a show of strength at a political dinner. The Capt’s
camp had claimed that over 58 MLAs and 8 MPs back Amarinder Singh.
However, today’s CLP meet will reveal how many MLAs stand with Capt and how many vote for his removal from the Chief Minister’s chair.
Congress has 80 MLAs in the 117-strong state assembly and if the majority votes against Capt, his CM’s chair will surely be at risk. It is possible that the matter goes in the
hands of party president Sonia Gandhi and she announces the new CM from Delhi.
If not Capt Amarinder, then who?
According to sources, Navjot Sidhu’s camp can present three names- Sukhjinder Randhawa, Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Pargat Singh as new CM candidates.
The third possibility in today’s CLP meet could be that CM Amarinder dissolves the state assembly. However, this is least likely to happen for two reasons.
One, this step of Capt will enrage the Congress high command, ensuring his exile from the party. Second, if this happens, President's rule will be imposed in Punjab, ending Amarinder
Singh’s political career.
With less than six months in the Punjab assembly elections, the Congress leadership is trying best to resolve the matter at the earliest. So far, the high command has failed to placate
factions, which might cause a heavy loss in polls.
Now all hopes stand on today’s CLP meet which is scheduled to start at 5 pm.