By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder was taken aback by the announcement by Congress High Command to call the urgent meeting of CLP today at 5 PM. The party high command had kept its plan of change in CLP leadership higly secret and annoucement for the meeting was made at mdnight.
The way Congress party has appointed two observers for the meeting and MLAs were told not to attend any meeting called by Capt Amasrinder Singh before CLP meeting. The timing of meeting was also decided immediately after the cabinet meeting chaired by Capt Amarinder Singh probably to prevent any attempt by Capt Amarinder Singh to dissolve the cabinet and seek fresh elections. In such a case the Governor could have accepted the resignation of CM and appoint him care taker Chief Minister till elections.
The Congress high command was aware of close ties of Capt Amarinder Singh with the BJP leadership. PPCC president Navjot Sidhu camp had alerted the AICC president about Captain's closeness with BJP top leaders. The sources said that Capt Amarinder Singh's recent statements on terrorism threat and high alert in the state were aimed to help BJP to consolidate Hindu votes for the 2022 elections.
The midnight strike by Congress is considered an attempt to foil Captain's attempt to further damage Congress party. The party sources said that Captain was secretely helping SAD and BJP to gain ground in Punjab. it was the reason that CM was hesitant to accept demands of wider sections of government employees so that Akalis and BJP could cash on anti-incumbency.
Many senior BJP leaders joining the SAD is also said to be part of bigger game plan of BJP to gain gound in Punjab. The Congress decision to change the Chief Minister would dent the SAD-BJP plans to win 2022 elections riding on conflict in the Congress party. About 40 MLAs and four ministers had told the party high command to call the CLP meeting. PPCC president Navjot Sidhu had also blamed Capt Amarinder Singh for helping the drug, mining and transport mafias. Captain's ouster is considered big win for Navjot Sidhu.