The slugfest between Punjab Congress heavyweights Amarinder Singh and Partap Singh Bajwa took a fresh turn today after the former hosted a luncheon in an apparent show of strength and announced that a campaign would be launched from Jan. 22 to take on the ruling Akali-BJP alliance in the state.
Bajwa, the Punjab Congress chief, responded to his bete noire's move saying he welcomed the "belated initiative" by Amarinder -- Congress's Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha -- to confront BJP, but clarified that the event would be held under the party's umbrella.
He asserted that Congress's Jan. 22 programme would be organised under the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and the modalities for the same would be chalked out in consultation with the party high command after the Muktsar rally at Maghi on Jan. 14.
"I am happy that the entire party is getting united to confront (BJP chief) Amit Shah. PPCC has already announced the Jan. 22 programme. We have to take on Shah not only on drugs but on several other issues. It is the PPCC programme that has been endorsed by Amarinder and I welcome it," Bajwa said in a statement here, adding that the party would reiterate its demand for a CBI inquiry into drug smuggling in the state.
However, in no mood to allow Bajwa to score a political point, Amritsar MP Amarinder made it categorically clear late this evening that the rally in that city was being organised by the Amritsar parliamentary constituency and there was no question of anyone else working out its modalities.
In a virtual snub to Bajwa, Amarinder said the rally had already been planned at today's luncheon at Patiala, which was attended by the CLP leader, former PCC presidents, 35 sitting MLAs, MPs, former ministers and ex-MLAs and other state and district office bearers.
BJP chief Shah is set to launch his party's campaign against drugs in Amritsar on Jan. 22. The saffron party's ally and coalition partner in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal, had recently held dharnas at three venues close to the international Border on the drug issue.
