…Capt calls on Governor

The over a month-long break after polling has given the Congress camp in Punjab enough time for everything — parleys over poll arithmetic,vacations,family time,and lobbying for top posts in the team of CM-in-waiting,Captain Amarinder Singh.

A day before the verdict,Amarinder held hectic meetings with his core team — Lt Gen (retd) TS Shergill,former chairman of the Punjab Public Services Commission; two general secretaries, Dhuri candidate Arvind Khanna and Kushaldeep Dhillon; two officers on special duty,Major Amardeep and Karanpal Sekhon; and his close aide Captain Sandeep Sandhu. Among other things,they discussed the latest exit poll results and rebels who have been won over — not just their own but also from the Akali Dal.

Later in the day,Amarinder met Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil. It was reportedly a courtesy call that had been pending for the last two months. After high tea at the Raj Bhawan,he left for Moti Bagh Palace in Patiala to spend time with his family.

By evening,Amarinder was back at his residence in Chandigarh for the verdict day. The cabinet,chief secretary,Director General of Police and principal secretary to the CM have all been decided. But the wait is on for the numbers.