CHANDIGARH, MAY 1: In an apparent attempt to confront the Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party combine in the ensuing elections to the panchayat raj institutions and the two bye-elections as a united outfit, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has fired the warning shots to check dissidence.This follows the visit of AICC general secretary Meira Kumar, incharge of Punjab affairs, and spokesperson Ambika Soni here on Wednesday to attend the meeting of the panel constituted by the high command to supervise the panchayat polls due in June next.The issue of dissidence, especially the statement of Jagmeet Singh Brar, former MP, appearing in a section of the press highly critical of state party chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was taken up by several party leaders with them. The PPCC at its own cannot take action against Brar. She made it clear that the state party leaders must sink their differences and warned the dissidents against airing their views in public.It was in accordance with the discussion with Meira Kumar and Soni that Bhattal issued a circular yesterday directing the party leaders to maintain discipline. Those who fail to comply would face disciplinary action.The meeting discussed the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha and Sham Chaurasi Assembly bye-election scheduled for June 3. It is proposed to constitute two committees for the bye-elections. The members of these committees would be made accountable for the party performance. In case of panchayat polls also, committees at the district level with members of the coordination committee being made in-charge of respective districts. All the senior leaders who have been gunning for Bhattal are members of this committee.According to the sources, two names are under discussion for the Tarn Taran seat. The final choice would depend upon the Akali Dal candidate. The names under discussion are Gurbrinder Kaur Brar, wife of former chief minister Harcharan Singh Brar and Gurinder Singh Kairon. Kairon failed to make it to Lok Sabha from Tarn Taran earlier.The choice could fall on Brar in case the Akali Dal decided to put up Parneet Kaur, daughter of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is married to Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, nephew of Gurinder Singh Kairon.The decision of Prem Singh Lalpura to retain his membership of the Assembly has necessitated the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha bye-election. Lalpura who won the seat, was given the ticket by Badal after the MLAs in the Assembly segments falling in this Lok Sabha constituency opposed the candidature of major Singh Uboke. The Akali Dal is considering various options now as the name of Balbir Singh is also being opposed by the MLAs. The name of Manjinder Singh Kang, chairman, Punjab Forest Development Corporation, is also in circulation for this seat.
