Sonia to meet Bhattal after Dec 23

Prime Punjab Congress dissident and critic of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's challenge to the party high command seemed to collapse today when after their meeting with party president Sonia Gandhi, dissidents said they had not put any conditions to the central party leadership and had left the decision about change of leadership to her.

Bhattal is to have another round of discussions with Sonia Gandhi after the end of the winter session of Parliament on December 23. Meanwhile, Congress legislators and ministers, who were camping here, have returned to Chandigarh and will be taking up their jobs again.

Bhattal, however, would stay here, she said, because she was indisposed.

"Our meeting with Sonia Gandhi last night was satisfactory. We respect the high command and have laid no conditions. It is now up to her to take the decision, when and where," Bhattal said.

"We felt there were shortcomings in the style of functioning of the Punjab government, which were not in the interests of the party. Our agenda and destination was to meet Sonia Gandhi, which we met last night," Bhattal said.

"The party chief told us that the report of the three-member committee had reached her and a decision would be taken as soon as possible," she said.