Chattisgarh and Punjab crisis: 'All is well' says Chidambaram but is it really the case?

Panji, Aug 27: Amid the ongoing Chattisgarh political chaos, former finance minister P. Chidambaram said that all is well within the Congress-led Chattisgarh government and there is no rebellion present in the state government. Chidambaram, who was appointed by the Congress party as Senior AICC election observer to Goa, is in the state for a 2-day visit to oversee the developments for assembly elections.

 

 

When asked about the current rumors of rebellion in the state congress committees of the state of Punjab and Chhattisgarh, Chidambaram said, “There is no rebellion in Chhattisgarh. There is no rebellion in Punjab. You’re perhaps mixing up Afghanistan. These are internal matters which are discussed within the party. Did you describe the Karnataka change of guard as a rebellion?” and tried to loosen up the matter. It is should be noted, prior to this, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel is summoned again to New Delhi as the condition in the state remain the same.

 

Several developments of unhappy Congress leaders of Punjab and Chhattisgarh are surfacing which are taking place in these states. ‘Remove Captain’ is the new chant in the state of Punjab as many of their leaders too asking to replace Amarinder Singh for good.

 

 

Besides, Chidambaram is in Goa to oversee the strategies and coordination for the upcoming elections. However, Goa Congress itself is facing the similar situation as leader Girish Chodankar has offered his resignation giving the reason of party’s poor performance in the local body elections. Senior leaders also met Rahul Gandhi concerning the lack of leadership skills of Chodankar. When asked about the same, he said He’s not here to replace anyone by himself anyway.

 

 

Speaking about the chances of Congress winning the elections, he said, "The task before us is to get the party battle-ready for the elections early next year. My initial assessment is that the political atmosphere is extremely favorable to the Congress party. By all accounts, including accounts which I read in the media, there is an expectation that there will be a change in the government and a new government led by the Congress party will be formed after the elections."

 

According to the latest developments, Baghel might meet Rahul Gandhi on Friday at around 4 pm amid the ongoing rift in state's Congress party for a change in leadership. This will be the second meeting of Baghel with Rahul Gandhi over the reported ongoing power tussle in the Chhattisgarh unit of the party.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Congress MLAs, who had arrived in the national capital on Thursday, held a meeting with Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge PL Punia at the latter's residence late night. Several party MLAs in Chhattisgarh, including three state ministers had left for Delhi on Thursday evening to meet the Congress high command in the national capital.