"Amarinders Singh's absence from few important party functions and alleged non-cooperation with Bhattal is being viewed seriously by the AICC," AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva said.
The AICC has constituted a high-powered committee to look into the matter and was awaiting the report about the former chief minister's alleged non-cooperation towards Bhattal. The tug of war between Amarinder Singh and Bhattal is not new, with Singh's entire tenure as chief minister of Punjab being frequently peppered by a leadership tussle.
This time round, Bhattal appears to be in a strong position with Amarinder Singh having lost assembly polls last year and getting mired in several controversies after. "The tug of war is now for the post of Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader, which is currently occupied by Amarinder Singh. Bhattal is trying to get her supporter the job," said a source.
An embattled Amarinder Singh is travelling to Delhi for a private audience with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He has accused Bhattal of being "too soft" with her agitations against Akalis.
Terming the on-going protests in the state by the party under the leadership of Bhattal as of "friendly nature", he said such protests could never change the mindset of Akalis.
"Bhattal lacks aggressive approach," he said, adding that he was set to take his fight to AICC again. "I am heading for Delhi to check what action has been taken on my demand for change of PPCC leadership by May 31," he added.
"I will be active again once a recast is done in the PPCC," the former chief minister said, hoping that AICC Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will soon effect a change in Punjab unit of Congress.