Congress promises to take steps to end infighting in Punjab unit

 Keeping an eye on the 2017 Assembly election in Punjab, Congress will soon take steps to put its house in order in the state amid sharp division between former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and PCC Chief Pratap Singh Bajwa.

A clear indication to this effect was given by party spokesman P C Chacko who on Wednesday  said there was "no denying" the fact of infighting in Congress in Punjab and "appropriate steps will be taken soon" to rectify the situation.

Talking to reporters, Chacko, however, downplayed the reverse suffered by the Congress in Dhuri Assembly bypoll, insisting that by-election results are no reflection on the standing of the party. A senior party leader, who declined to be identified, said matters involving the Punjab unit would be top of the agenda of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi when he returns from his sabbatical. He said the Congress Vice President has already held discussions with a number of leaders from Punjab.

The party in Punjab is sharply divided with majority of MLAs owing allegiance to Amarinder Singh, who is also the Deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, and several party men openly demanding the removal of Bajwa. Early this week, Bajwa launched a frontal attack against Singh, accusing him of scuttling Rahul's elevation as the party chief. A section in the party insisted that the failure of the high command to settle the leadership issue was costing the party dear.