With induction into CWC Amarinder becomes more powerful in Punjab

Monday, 17/06/2013

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/with-induction-into-cwc-amarinder-becomes-more-powerful-in-punjab/81124

CHANDIGARH: Having been inducted into the Congress Working Committee (CWC) as a permanent invitee, former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh will become more powerful vis-a-vis his position in the state Congress is concerned. Well placed sources revealed that Amarinder had himself preferred a position in the CWC over being appointed as general secretary as it would enable him to continue to remain and work within the state.

Since he has been inducted into the CWC, the highest decision making body of the party, Amarinder now will enjoy the highest position in the party hierarchy in the state. Combined and coupled with his stature and the mass following he enjoys across the state, his appointment will indeed prove to be beneficial for the party without creating an alternate centre of power.

In case Amarinder had been appointed party general secretary and assigned some states to look after, his role in the state politics would have got limited and restricted. Rather it would have been difficult, if not inappropriate, for him to continue to work within the state while being general secretary incharge of some other state(s).

Sources close to the former Chief Minister revealed that he had conveyed it to the Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi that he was neither interested in any gubernatorial position within the country nor any diplomatic assignment as an ambassador abroad and would rather prefer to work for the party. And there could not be a better place for him to work for the party than Punjab and he has got his wish fulfilled.

He is currently the only CWC member from Punjab as Mohinder Sing Kaypee is only a Special Invitee. While ordinarily the CWC members would not involve themselves much with the day to day party activities, but given his popularity and public support, the Congress high command appears to have taken a well thought out decision about his induction into the highest decision making body. As there could be no better position he could be offered without altering the existing leadership arrangement.

Now the former Chief Minister is likely to give his time for the party work which would not have been possible had he not been given any other assignment. Being the CWC member entitles and qualifies him for whatever party activity he may do or conduct as it will be within his right and also with the authority and stamp of the Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi, who had inducted him into the CWC.

The party will indeed stand benefitted with his induction particularly in the parliamentary elections in Punjab as Amarinder still remains the most prominent and popular face of Congress in the state.