The three-member team of observers for Punjab appointed by the Congress high command began hearing state leaders in Delhi, marking the final leg of the unit’s reset.
The discussions are expected to continue over the next two days, with the observers — Ajay Maken, Meenakshi Natarajan and Bhajan Lal Jatav — submitting their report to the party high command by June 20.
The observers gave one-on-one hearings to the leaders, including MPs, former presidents of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, former Ministers at Indira Bhavan. Sitting MLAs, former MLAs and district presidents will be heard tomorrow and the day after. Among the leaders, who met the observers were CLP leader Partap Singh Bajwa, former CM Charanjit Channi, MPs Sukhjinder Randhawa, Dr Amar Singh, Gurjit Aujla, Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and former PPCC Chief Shamser Singh Dullo.
Those privy to the developments said the Punjab leaders were asked about popular faces who could lead the party, besides asking for suggestions to strengthen it in the run up to the 2027 Assembly elections.
A section of leaders advocated for leaders not facing Vigilance or Enforcement Directorate cases to avoid potential desertions ahead of the elections. “The party should put up leaders who do not have any baggage,” said a senior PPCC leader.
Sources said the observers’ feedback was part of a larger effort to assess the ground situation in Punjab and to submit a detailed report to the high command.
Punjab Congress has been plagued by persistent factionalism with groups aligned to PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Bajwa and Channi often pulling in different directions.
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