Punjab Congress Crisis Complicates As State In-Charge Harish Rawat Seeks To Be Relieved From His Role

Congress is seeking to retain power in Punjab, whereas it aims to return to power by defeating the ruling BJP in Uttarakhand.

Congress leader Harish Rawat. (File Photo)

Chandigarh: Seems like there is no end to the Congress political crisis in Punjab. After a spat between top echelons of power, controversy on Navjot Singh Sidhu's advisors' remarks, now Harish Rawat has expressed his desire to be relieved as the in-charge of party affairs in the state.

However, Rawat has cited next year's Assembly Polls in Uttarakhand, where he is the Congress' campaign committee chairman, as the reason behind his desire to leave Punjab. 

"Yes, this is the reason," the former Uttarakhand chief minister told reporters in Dehradun on Thursday when asked if he has sought to be relieved of the charge as Punjab affairs in-charge so that he could concentrate on the upcoming polls in his state.

Rawat said that in order to concentrate on the upcoming polls in Uttarakhand, it had been on his mind to seek to be relieved of the responsibility of the party's Punjab affairs in-charge.

The senior Congress leader also added that he would abide by whatever direction is given to him by the party.

"If my party asks me to continue (as Punjab affairs in-charge), I will continue, said Rawat.

Both Punjab and Uttarakhand will go to polls next year. Congress is seeking to retain power in Punjab, whereas it aims to return to power by defeating the ruling BJP in Uttarakhand.