Cong leaders in Punjab out to display individual strength

Amid hectic efforts by Congress high command to restructure its Punjab unit, state leaders have now launched separate agitations against the Akali-BJP government besides organising rallies in an apparent bid to show their support base and individual strength.
These programmes are also an attempt by these leaders to apparently impress upon the party's top brass ahead of any leadership change in the state.
Former chief minister Amarinder Singh, who is pushing for a leadership change in the state unit, launched an agitational plan by organising two public meetings and rallies every week to galvanise the party cadres against the Akali-BJP regime. He has held 30 rallies so far.

State PCC chief Pratap Bajwa, who is facing opposition from Singh, has separately announced agitations against drugs and sugar mills across the state and is trying to motivate the other state leaders in joining them.
AICC general secretary and in-charge of Congress affairs in Punjab Shakeel Ahmed has been attending such programmes by the PCC unit.
Another state leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, a former deputy chief minister, has called for unity in the state leadership and asked them to get together in ousting the Akali-BJP government in the state and reach out to the people.

All the three leaders have separately met the party's high command including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi and sought their intervention in resolving the leadership row in the state.

"We have launched an agitational plan against the sugar mills not starting crushing this year and will force the government to intervene. Such rallies are being held across the state and PCC has announced a fast-unto-death on November 16 outside chief minister's residence if mills do not start crushing," Bajwa said.
"Congress should put up a united front and come together on party platforms against the Akali-BJP government. The leaders should also reach out to the public and win them over in ousting the ruling combine. The issue of senior and junior leaders should be resolved amicably through proper coordination," Bhattal told PTI.

The state unit is holding a rally on September 1 in Sangrur, in Gurdaspur on September 6, in Valtoha on 9 and in Kiri Afghana of Gurdaspur on September 12.
Bajwa has separately announced a padayatra across the state in six phases against the drug menace, starting October 2 from Pathanakot to Harike.