The Punjab Congress is set to convene a crucial meeting today in Delhi with high-profile leaders, including Raja Wading, Pratap Singh Bajwa, and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Reports suggest that the agenda of the meeting, scheduled for around 4:30 PM, revolves around discussing the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
This meeting gains significance not only due to the anticipation of strategizing for the parliamentary polls but also amid recent controversies involving Navjot Singh Sidhu and Pratap Bajwa. Bajwa had urged to halt the formation of a separate faction under Sidhu’s leadership, emphasizing internal party unity. Bajwa pointed out a decline in Congress seats in Punjab under Sidhu’s leadership, reducing from 78 to 18.
The ongoing rift between Bajwa and Sidhu escalated recently when Bajwa accused Sidhu of failing to bring the promised 78 seats in the state. Sidhu countered, stating that bringing 18 out of 78 seats is not solely the responsibility of the chief. The discord reached a point where some Congress leaders demanded the removal of Navjot Singh Sidhu from the party.
The meeting is expected to address these internal issues, including the leadership dispute and the demand for Sidhu’s removal. Meanwhile, the high command is likely to gauge the pulse of the Punjab Congress regarding the ongoing discussions about a possible alliance with the Indian National Congress (INC) and other opposition parties.
Amidst these developments, questions arise about the potential alliance between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, as most Congress leaders in the state currently do not favor such a collaboration. Devender Yadav, the newly appointed chief of Punjab Congress, acknowledged the consideration of an alliance with AAP and emphasized the importance of gathering opinions from party members before making a decision. He stated that the high command would take input from everyone before reaching a conclusion on the alliance.
In essence, the meeting is poised to delve into multiple crucial aspects, ranging from internal party dynamics to potential alliances, as the Punjab Congress navigates through complex political waters ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.