Himachal Pradesh: Harish Rawat, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has been relieved of his duties as General Secretary in-charge of Punjab and Chandigarh by the Congress party. Harish Chaudhary has been named as the AICC incharge of Punjab and Chandigarh in his place, effective immediately. Chaudhary is a member of the Rajasthan Gehlot government’s Cabinet. He was the Punjab observer during the recent change of power when Captain Amarinder Singh was succeeded as chief minister by Charanjit Channi.
“Shri Harish Chaudhary has been named AICC In-Charge of Punjab and Chandigarh by Congress President. Harish Rawat’s current position as AICC General Secretary In-Charge of Punjab and Chandigarh is being terminated. He will remain a member of the CWC. His achievements as General Secretary are valued by the party “In a statement, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal stated.
Chaudhary’s name was speculated at a time when Sidhu resigned from the post of the Punjab Congress chief following his differences with Charanjit Singh Channi over appointments. At that time, Chaudhary said he will take whatever opportunity the party will give him. Earlier, Harish Rawat had asked the party leadership to relieve him of his Punjab Congress in-charge duties so that he may focus on preparations for the impending Uttarakhand Assembly elections. Punjab’s assembly elections are set to take place early next year.