Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Kishor’s pack takes charge, local Cong leaders cry foul

- Ravinder Vasudeva

KANGANNA (JALANDHAR): Poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s scheme of things at the state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh’s events is persistent­ly not going well with the party leaders.

On Thursday, Kishor’s Indian Political Action Committee (IPAC) volunteers created embarrassi­ng situation for the party again during the ‘Halke Vich Captain’ show here when they directed local leaders to leave the venue of a press conference to be addressed by Captain Amarinder.

For the media briefing, the IPAC volunteers had put chair only for Captain and they didn’t want any other person around. However, the idea was vehemently opposed by the local leaders who questioned the rationale behind this. PPCC spokespers­on Dr Navjot Dahiya, former minister Brij Bhupinder Lalli and Laddi Sherrowali­a did not relent and argued with the IPAC volunteers.

The volunteers complained to programme coordinato­r who got furious and pulled out his team saying

(Let them do what they want)”.

On July 24, in Kartarpur, MP Santokh Chaudhary left the venue in protest, alleging misbehavio­ur by the IPAC team that did not allow him to sit beside Captain during a similar programme. Chaudhary returned only after Amarinder intervened.

On Wednesdat at Nangal, an ex-MLA who organised the programme was asked to leave Amarinder alone during a press conference. The matter reportedly has already reached the party high command.

“The role of local leaders has been restricted only to bring

crowds. The leaders face humiliatio­n in front of supporters when they are not allowed to even stand behind Capt. I fail to understand what is the rationale behind this?” said a senior party leaders.

A few leaders have already complained to the Congress high command about the “highheaded­ness” of Kishor’s men.

When this correspond­ent asked the PCC chief on the issue, he defended the Kishor’s team,

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? Capt Amarinder Singh having lunch after the Halke-Vich-Captain programme near Shahkot on Thursday.
HT PHOTO Capt Amarinder Singh having lunch after the Halke-Vich-Captain programme near Shahkot on Thursday.

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