Those responsible for poll debacle,facing corruption cases should quit

Chandigarh: In what could also have implications for Punjab where the Congress suffered second defeat in a row at the hands of the SAD-BJP alliance,many leaders,participating at the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) on Monday,spoke of reviving the Kamaraj plan — a political plan formulated in 1963 by Congress leader K Kamaraj,who had proposed that all senior ministers and chief ministers should resign to strengthen the party’s organisational structure.

Meeting for the first time after suffering reverses in the recent Assembly polls,the CWC discussed the lessons learnt from these polls. Though the report of high-powered committee headed by Union Defence Minister AK Antony that took stock of the poll debacle was not taken up for discussion,some leaders,while discussing the 2014 elections,said they need to first recover from the recent setbacks by re-igniting the spirit to sacrifice for the party among those holding positions of power.

“The suggestions given by leaders included having more aggressive and accessible state chiefs for the 2014 polls. Also,since the Opposition was cornering Congress on corruption issues,some leaders also said those facing court cases or serious charges should resign on their own in the interest of the party. The other important issue discussed was price rise and how it is adversely affecting the party’s good work,” said a leader.

The Punjab leaders who spoke at the meet included CWC member Jagmeet Brar,state president Captain Amarinder Singh,Leader of Congress Legislative party Sunil Jakhar and MP Manish Tewari.