Date:12/12/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/12/stories/2003121204191300.htm

National

Dissidents continue tirade against Amarinder

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI DEC. 11 . Punjab Congress dissidents appeared in no mood to relent from their demand for a change of leadership in the State with the Agriculture Minister, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, today claiming the support of 34 of the party's 62 MLAs.

A day after the Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, asserted that 40 MLAs were firmly behind him, the official camp today sought to enlist the support of the nine-member Punjab Parliamentary party with the Faridkot MP, Jagmeet Singh Brar, suggesting that no pressure should be brought on the central leadership or challenge to the State leadership at this juncture.

Mr. Brar, who is the convener of the parliamentary group, said the eight Lok Sabha Members and one Rajya Sabha MP, at a meeting, here had adopted a resolution that there should be no dilution in the Punjab Government's fight against corruption.

The MPs were of the "collective view" that it would be against the interests of the Congress at this juncture if pressure was brought on the high command or any challenge posed to the State leadership.