PATIALA:  All India Congress Committee apparently taken the strict view of the statement made by former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh that he had informed party president Sonia Gandhi in early May that he would not be present during campaigning for the Amritsar (South) by poll as he wished to conduct Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Makhdhoom Amin Fahim during the latter's proposed trip to Manali. 

Highly placed Congress sources said here today that it was the duty of External affairs ministry to entertain foreign gust and not the work of any individual. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and external affairs minister Pranab Mukerjee have taken serious view of statement made by Capt. Amarinder Singh to the media.

Congress high command also took the notice of Capt. Singh's outburst against PCC president Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, sources added. Congress High command is unhappy with Capt. Amarinder Singh that he has dragged the party president name in the media to justify his stay with Arossa Alam and on pretext to entertain PPP's co-chairman Makhdhoom Amin Fahim.

It is learnt that the former Chief Minister had said that he had informed Sonia Gandhi that the PPP's co-chairman wanted to visit Manali as his guest from May 12 onwards for 14 days. He also said that he came down on May 21 and also met Sonia Gandhi on the same day. He had also said that he was in touch with Sonia Gandhi from Manali and even addressed letters to her from 'Camp Manali.