Chandigarh: Former Sangrur MP Vijay Inder Singla has emerged as the leading contender to replace former Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the state party chief.
According to party sources, Singla’s name is currently at the forefront of discussions. Sources said he had earlier been the party’s first choice to replace Warring, but the decision was deferred after the BJP appointed Kewal Singh Dhillon as its Punjab unit chief.
Sources said appointing a Hindu leader as Punjab Congress president could help ease differences among several Jat Sikh leaders who are seen as aspirants for the chief minister’s post. One source said that having a Hindu state president would leave the chief ministerial position open to a Sikh leader after the Assembly elections.
The Congress is also considering adopting a strategy similar to the one used in Kerala, under which the state organisation would remain in the hands of local leaders while Lok Sabha MPs would play a supporting role in the campaign. Party MPs from Punjab are not expected to be asked to contest the Assembly elections, as the Congress does not want to risk losing any of its Lok Sabha seats.
Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Gurjit Singh Aujla are among the other names being discussed for the post. All four are sitting Lok Sabha MPs, while Singla is a former MP and former Punjab minister.
Party sources said an announcement on Singla’s appointment could be made at any time.
