No Meeting With Gandhis, Amarinder Singh Given A Peace Formula Instead

A replacement for the party's state unit chief Sunil Kumar Jakhar -- known for his differences with the Chief Minister -- is also on the cards. Sources indicated Navjot Sidhu or a Dalit face can replace Mr Jakhar.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has left Delhi after two days, without any meeting with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi, sources said. The party, however, has made it clear that Mr Singh will stay. Efforts will continue to resolve party leaders' grievances against Mr Singh. The three-member panel formed by Mrs Gandhi to resolve the infighting in the Punjab Congress unit, which has set off a crisis ahead of next year's assembly elections, will continue meeting leaders. A section of leaders have objected to Mr Singh's leadership, citing the government's inaction in sacrilege cases, under-representation of Dalits in the government and the inaccessibility of the Chief Minister due to his coterie. But the party has emphasised the need for unity, pointing to the state elections due next year. A replacement for the party's state unit chief Sunil Kumar Jakhar -- known for his differences with the Chief Minister -- is on the cards. Sources indicated Navjot Sidhu or a Dalit face can replace Mr Jakhar.