The Hindu : New Delhi News : Bhattal removed as PCC chief

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New Delhi

Bhattal removed as PCC chief

Special Corespondent

Mohinder Singh Kaypee made Acting President
Amarinder is chairman of party’s Campaign panel

NEW DELHI: The Congress central leadership on Wednesday removed senior leader and former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal as Punjab PCC Chief. A former Minister, Mohinder Singh Kaypee, shall be the Acting President “till further decision.” Ms. Bhattal is said to be in Italy.

Ms. Bhattal, however, will continue as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

In a major shake-up in the party organisation, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has been appointed the chairman of the party’s Campaign Committee with former Minister Ashwini Sekhari as the convenor. Mr. Singh met Congress President Sonia Gandhi here on Wednesday.

With this, the party high command has tried to do a “balancing act” to keep top leaders in the State happy without getting into each other’s way, a senior party leader said.

It is no secret that Ms. Bhattal and Mr. Singh were at loggerheads ever since the former was given two posts after the party lost State elections with Mr. Singh as the Chief Minister in 2007. Mr Singh had openly declared that he “could not work under Ms. Bhattal.”

“This is the best arrangement for the moment. Mr. Kaypee will be able to work with both the leaders and get the party off the block,” the leader said.

With the new appointments that represent leadership from all parts of Punjab, the party expects to get its act together for the Lok Sabha elections.

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