Capt hosts ‘power’ dinner, flashes support of 31 MLAs

Jaswinder Singh Baidwan

Akhran da mureed
Staff member
Even as the leadership crisis in Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) remains unresolved and the party remains in "suspended animation", former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh seems to be taking de facto control of the party.
The "power" dinner hosted by him here last night is as much a proof of his attempt to consolidate his position within the state Congress as for the state Congress leaders and MLAs to not show that they are not aligned to a particular faction.
Feeling threatened ever since the name of Ambika Soni as the next PPCC chief cropped up and with some MLAs from his camp seemingly switching sides, the dinner held here last night also seems an attempt by the Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha to show the party high command of his sway within the party. Many MLAs who attended the dinner said they had received a personal invitation from Amarinder.
It is learnt that 31 MLAs attended the dinner. They included Lal Singh, Ashwani Sekhri, Randeep Nabha, who were earlier not seen to be too close to the former CM. Despite the fact that Capt Amarinder does not appear to be the "favourite candidate" for the PPCC president's post and word is out that Ambika Soni could be the next chief, the presence of 30 of the 43 party MLAs, almost 20 former MLAs, and 12 district congress committee chiefs at his dinner must give him some solace even if it does not sway the scales in his favour.
The state Congress has been left in suspended animation. It now seems that the issue of PPCC chief will not be resolved till the Bihar elections are over, with the party also biding time to ensure that Capt Amarinder comes around into accepting a leader of their (party leadership's) choice as state Congress chief.
While all this transpires, PPCC chief Partap Bajwa has already deferred the political rallies he had been addressing in various parts of the state for almost two months. On the other hand, Amarinder has been continuing with his rallies. Last week in Baghapurana, the Congress rally addressed by Amarinder drew good crowds.
The delay in appointing the PPCC chief could cost the party dear as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is fast filling the space being left by the Congress. The series of political rallies being addressed by the AAP leaders is drawing huge crowds, who are self-motivated rather than mobilised, as is the trend in other political parties.
Amarinder’s show of strength
Though the state Congress remains in "suspended animation", former CM Amarinder seems to be taking de facto control of the party given the presence of 31 of the 43 state party MLAs, almost 20 former legislators, and 12 district Congress committee chiefs at his dinner
Soni may still sail through
The dinner on Saturday seems to be an attempt by the veteran Congress leader to show his sway within the party. But sources say Amarinder does not appear to be the "favourite candidate" for the PPCC president's post and the word is out that Ambika Soni could be the next chief.
Bajwa keeps low profile
While all this transpires, Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa is keeping a low profile these days. He has already deferred the political rallies he had been addressing in various parts of the state for almost two months
 
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