Harish Rawat ‘Relieved’ As Congress’ Punjab Affairs In-charge, Harish Chaudhary Takes Over

Harish Rawat was at the centre of resolving the Punjab Congress crisis with long power tussle between former CM Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu.

File Photo

New Delhi: In an official statement, the Congress party on Friday announced that Harish Rawat is being relieved from his current responsibility as Punjab affairs in-charge in the All India Congress Committee.

Harish Chaudhary has been appointed as Punjab and Chandigarh in-charge with immediate effect.

"Hon'ble Congress President has appointed Shri Harish Chaudhary as AICC In-Charge of Punjab and Chandigarh with immediate effect. Shri Harish Rawat is being relieved from his current responsibility as AICC General Secretary In-Charge of Punjab and Chandigarh," the statement signed by General Secretary K.C. Venugopal read.

"He shall continue as member CWC. The party appreciates his contributions as General Secretary," it added.

(Photo Courtesy: ANI)

This step comes as the former Uttarakhand chief minister urged his party leadership to relieve him from the responsibility of Punjab Congress in-charge in view of the assembly elections slated to happen next year wherein Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, and Manipur will go to polls.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Rawat said, "In Uttarakhand, we are progressing towards a definite win. During the election, it is impossible for me to handle two states, Punjab and Uttarakhand. So I have urged our leadership to relieve me from Punjab Congress in-charge duty."

He had also revealed that Congress will soon present a detailed program including 'Parivartan Yatra' and other plans for the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab and Uttarakhand scheduled to take place in 2022.

Congress leader Harish Rawat was at the centre of resolving the Punjab Congress crisis that involved a long power tussle between former state chief minister Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu, followed by Amarinder Singh's resignation and swearing-in of Charanjit Singh Channi as his successor. 

Navjot Sidhu's sudden resignation as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and eventual withdrawal of the same also happened while Harish Rawat served as the Punjab affairs in-charge.