Cong plans publicity panel post for Jakhar, but he’s not interested

NEW DELHI: The move of Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh and poll strategist Prashant Kishor to “rehabilitate” senior leader Sunil Jakhar as the head of the state unit’s communication and publicity department has failed to find favour with him.

The move was part of party’s bid to bring all disgruntled party leaders in Punjab on board ahead of next year’s assembly polls. Jakhar, a confidant of Amarinder, was removed as the CLP leader in November last year and Charanjit Channi was appointed in his place. Jakhar was then assured by the leadership that he will be “suitably accommodated” and will be given a “key role” in the party’s poll management.

Sources said Kishor had suggested that Jakhar should be appointed as the campaign committee chairman in place of senior leader Ambika Soni, who is also incharge of J&K, Uttarakhand and HP. It was argued that she will be busy in Uttarakhand, which goes to polls along with Punjab next year. However, the leadership is yet to take a call.

Meanwhile, as a way out, the party in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari later suggested that Jakhar be named as head of the communication and publicity wing. The proposal, in principle, has been accepted, a source said.

Jakhar said he never demanded any post from the party. “I am already working as party’s spokesman and have to look after my constituency. I cannot afford the luxury of heading the publicity panel,” he told HT. The party is also planning to “adjust” senior spokesperson Manish Tewari in the poll management.