AICC works out Capt-Bhattal tie

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today to work out a smaller state Cabinet and keep peace with his depu...

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today to work out a smaller state Cabinet and keep peace with his deputy, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.

While other states get on with downsizing, Punjab has proved particularly tricky for the AICC because of the deep rift between the CM and Bhattal, what with having to ensure that both camps get equal representation in the ministry. Sources said the AICC has worked out a strategy to appease both camps while choosing the new ministers, an issue that can snowball into yet another crisis for the party’s state unit.

According to the Assembly ceiling formula, Singh’s Cabinet should have 18 ministers, with July 7 being the deadline. It has apparently been agreed upon that there would be one minister each from every constituency of the state which would include Bhattal herself. That apart, Singh’s and Bhattal’s camps are to get two ministers each, for which discussions are on.

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The Punjab CM had earlier presented the AICC with a list of all 13 Lok Sabha constituencies and how the party had fared in each one. The party’s performance was dismal in the state, something the Bhattal camp has been bringing up in its tirade against the Chief Minister.

At the same time, the AICC has been informed how the open infighting in the party unit had cost it crucial votes across the state. The party is apparently keen on finding new leaders in seats where the party was routed, bringing down its LS tally in the state to two seats out of 13.

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