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Congress Woos Amarinder Singh, Sunil Jakhar Ahead of Punjab Polls
The Congress party is preparing for elections in Punjab.
It wants former leaders Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar to return.
Both leaders had left the Congress and joined the BJP.
Party sources say discussions about Amarinder Singh’s return have been happening, but nothing is confirmed.
Some Congress leaders think Jakhar may return if Amarinder Singh does.
The party also wants to show that its Punjab members are united.
Rahul Gandhi may visit Punjab and lead a bus trip beginning at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
The party is trying to challenge the AAP government while dealing with disagreements inside its own state organization.
The Congress is reportedly trying to bring former Punjab leaders Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar back into the party.
Congress sources say a senior leader has mediated with Amarinder Singh for about three months, but no return has been officially confirmed.
Party leaders believe Amarinder Singh’s return could encourage Sunil Jakhar to rejoin and restore greater discipline within the Punjab unit.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Punjab from the third week of September for a proposed unity bus yatra from Amritsar’s Golden Temple.
The Punjab Congress continues to face factional tensions involving state chief Amarinder Raja Warring, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and other leaders.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, former Congress leader Sunil Jakhar, Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Congress leaders are involved.
- What
- The Congress is reportedly seeking the return of Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar while attempting to unite its Punjab organization before the Assembly elections.
- Where
- Punjab, including Amritsar’s Golden Temple, where a proposed unity bus yatra would begin.
- When
- The reported negotiations have continued for about three months; Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit is from the third week of September, ahead of the Punjab elections.
- Why
- The Congress wants to strengthen its election campaign, present a united front and challenge the AAP government in Punjab.
Key facts
- Political party
- Indian National Congress
- Potential returnees
- Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar
- Negotiation status
- Reported discussions; no official confirmation of either return
- Mediator
- A senior Congress leader who is close to Amarinder Singh and the party high command
- Proposed event
- Rahul Gandhi’s unity bus yatra from Amritsar’s Golden Temple
- Internal dispute
- Differences continue within the Punjab Congress over leadership and factional divisions
- Electoral objective
- To strengthen the Congress and challenge the AAP government in Punjab
Quotes
A senior Congress leader
A party leader familiar with discussions over the possible return of Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar
“If Capt. Singh is back in the Congress, Mr Jakhar will also come back”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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