CHANDIGARH: The issue of appointment of new president of Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has been postponed till MMarch 2010 when process of organisational elections of stare unit would be completed.

The development is considered a setback for former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh who was expected to replace present incumbent Mohinder Singh Kay Pee. It is understood that Kay Pee would continue atleast till March 2010.

AICC secretary R. C. Khuntia who was in Chandigarh on Tuesday assured the Amarinder baitors that there was no proposal to appoint a new state president. However only six MLA's were present in the meeting held by Khuntia. All Amarinder Loyalists and leaders close to Beant Singh family remained absent. Leader of opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal led the tirade against Amarinder Singh who she complained, is not attending party programmes.

Earlier district presidents, including Amritsar (urban) chief Jagjit Singh Sehdev and Sangrur chief Paramjit Singh Sibia, besides senior leaders Harnam Das Johar, Romesh Dutt and Rajya Sabha member Dharampal Sabharwal led the tirade against Amarinder Singh.

According to a report Bhattal said, “We should rally behind the person chosen by Soniaji to lead us”. She gave her own example, saying she had led 32 legislators against Amarinder Singh to the party high command during the last Congress government but was firmly told that this was not accepted in the Congress. She said similarly the party high command did not bow to a signed petition by 45 legislators urging that Amarinder Singh be appointed CLP leader after the party’s loss in the last Assembly elections.

Former PPCC president Shamsher Singh Dullo also took a pot shot at Amarinder Singh, saying the Congress culture did not allow a panthic agenda. PPCC president Kaypee, when asked why the Amarinder group was missing, said he had invited everyone. Speaking about his handling of the PPCC presidentship, he said while 14 lakh members had been enrolled in the last drive, this time 21 lakh members would be enrolled.

Those who attended the meeting included Ashwani Sekhri, who also gave a brief on the recent party programmes, besides Sardool Singh, Brahm Mohindra, Gurbinder Atwal, Jagmohan Kang, C. D. Kamboj, Darshan Brar, Bal Mukand, Harminder Jassi and Parmindar Singh.