Chandigarh, Punjab: The Congress may appoint senior leader and former Union minister Ambika Soni as the Punjab unit chief to put an end to the infighting between two groups led by former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, and the current state chief, Pratap Singh Bajwa, who have been locked in a bitter battle for control of the party's state unit, say sources.
Sources say, with both state leaders not willing to accept the other, the party seems to be in favour of pushing Ms Soni, as the consensus candidate.
Mr Singh has been holding several public meetings across the state to put pressure on the party leadership to replace Mr Bajwa. The state unit chief had issued show-cause notice to Mr Singh's supporters for holding rallies which he had said, was helping the individual at the cost of the party.
When asked about the possible change of guard, Captain Amarinder Singh said, "I am ok with anyone else other than Pratap Bajwa as the party state president. Sonia Gandhi has to decide, with this decision, the infighting will also stop."
Mr Singh's supporters are still hopeful that the former chief minister will be appointed as the state unit chief. Assembly elections are due in the state in 2017.
Leader of the opposition in Punjab assembly, Sunil Jakhar says, "Captain Amarinder Singh is undoubtedly the tallest leader we have, and he is acceptable in all sections of the society, he can galvanize the party workers to defeat the Akali-BJP."
But Mr Singh's critics allege that while he was chief minister between 2002-2007, even party legislators found it tough to meet him. He is also blamed for the Congress losing the two previous assembly elections due to his arrogance.
According to sources, the congress leadership hopes to rein in the various factions by appointing a senior leader like Ms Soni as state unit chief, Mr Singh could be in-charge of the important election campaign committee, while a Dalit leader may be made party convenor.
Sources say, with both state leaders not willing to accept the other, the party seems to be in favour of pushing Ms Soni, as the consensus candidate.
Mr Singh has been holding several public meetings across the state to put pressure on the party leadership to replace Mr Bajwa. The state unit chief had issued show-cause notice to Mr Singh's supporters for holding rallies which he had said, was helping the individual at the cost of the party.
Mr Singh's supporters are still hopeful that the former chief minister will be appointed as the state unit chief. Assembly elections are due in the state in 2017.
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But Mr Singh's critics allege that while he was chief minister between 2002-2007, even party legislators found it tough to meet him. He is also blamed for the Congress losing the two previous assembly elections due to his arrogance.
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