Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, September 29
The ongoing tussle at the top after the resignation of PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has led to tussle and confusion among Congress leaders of Doaba. Since two new ministers from the region are involved in the ongoing tussle — Pargat Singh as a part of the coordination panel to resolve issues with Sidhu, and Rana Gurjeet Singh, whose ouster from the Cabinet has been demanded — it has created a sort of division among MLAs. Both the leaders have so far not been able to return to Doaba since their oath-taking on Sunday.
Showing their direct opposition to the induction of Rana Gurjeet, seven leaders of Doaba, including ex-president of PCC Mohinder Singh Kaypee and MLAs Navtej Singh Cheema from Sultanpur Lodhi, Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal from Phagwara, Bawa Henry from Jalandhar North, Dr Raj Kumar from Chabbewal, Pawan Adia from Sham Churasi and Sukhpal Singh Khaira from Bholath, had already written to the state leadership.
To thwart their campaign on the day of oath-taking, Rana, too, is learnt to have got a counter-signature campaign done wherein 22 MLAs are learnt to have signed in his favour. Despite having clearly taken sides with Sidhu in his recent tussle with ex-CM Capt Amarinder Singh, the Nawanshahr MLA is now in favour of Rana Gurjeet and sort of differs with Sidhu on opposing his re-entry into the Cabinet. “I personally feel that no one is guilty until proven. I think it is wrong to target Rana. Moreover, I feel this is the time when we all 117 leaders need to work in one direction collectively. If we remain divided like this, we may fall behind to 58 or 59 seats, which will ultimately lead us nowhere”, he said.
Spotlight on two ministers
Two new ministers from the region are involved in the ongoing tussle — Pargat Singh as a part of the coordination panel to resolve issues with Sidhu, and Rana Gurjeet Singh, whose inclusion in the Cabinet has been opposed by many.
Tussle at top has Doaba leadership in flux
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