Will Congress Choose A Non-Sikh To Lead Punjab Govt? Know Top Contenders

Photo courtesy: The Indian Express

New Delhi: The Congress Legislature Party (CLP), which was expected to finalise its choice of the chief ministerial candidate for Punjab after Captain Amarinder Singh’s resignation on Saturday, is expected to announce a name this afternoon.

Former party state president Sunil Jakhar, a Hindu and a non-Sikh face is the likely consensus candidate and a front runner for the post among the few names that are doing the rounds. According to senior party leaders, he has been working closely with the Captain for four years as party president so is known to all party MLAs despite their differences. He has won elections from Gurdaspur earlier and is also known for touching the religious chord, frequently quoting from the Guru Granth Sahib at public events, News18 reported.

Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, is another name being contended. He is known to have expressed his willingness to contest the forthcoming assembly elections.

Former Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who was the first to revolt against the Captain from the Navjot Singh Sidhu camp could become a caretaker CM too, thus keeping the Sidhu camp in power till elections are declared.

With a considerable number of voters belonging to the Hindu community, names like those of Raj Kumar Verka are also being considered as a possible contender, which would suit the equation of having a Jat face in the form of Sidhu and Hindu Chief Minister in the form of Verka, the report added.

ALSO READ: No Decision On New Punjab CM; Sonia Gandhi To Pick Amarinder’s Successor

ALSO READ: Is Change Of Guard In Punjab On Anvil Today?