M A I N   N E W S

Now, Punjab Mahila Cong chief targets Bajwa
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18
Riven with dissidence, the Punjab Congress has another problem at hand. This time it's the women's wing chief who's complaining. Kittu Grewal says she was not allowed to see party vice-president Rahul Gandhi when he was in Chandigarh on Thursday. And then, she was made to sit in the sixth row in a meeting that Rahul chaired.

While party sources said Rahul wants an inquiry into her appointment, Kittu says she has written to the Gandhi scion alleging humiliation. She is also piqued at being ignored by Rahul while those protesting her appointment were allowed to meet the party VP.

Kittu says she has sent a photo of the seating arrangement, where she was marked as chairman, women cell, to Rahul. "The Punjab Congress designated me as such. I head the state unit. I should have got a seat in the front row," she said.

Kittu sees state party unit chief Partap Singh Bajwa's hand in her "humiliation" for her being close to Amritsar MP Capt Amarinder Singh.

Some Mahila Congress leaders, mostly from Doaba, staged a sit-in outside the Congress Bhawan demanding Kittu's removal. They alleged Kittu had rebelled against Congress candidate Satnam Singh Kainth from Adampur and contested elections as an Independent in 2012. Kittu alleged the protesting group had the blessings of Bajwa.

"A few women leaders were specifically arranged to stage a dharna. They were also allowed to meet Rahul," she said.

A woman leader, who was part of the protesting group, said Kittu was "promoted" despite her rebellion against the Congress candidate in 2012. This leader said Rahul had assured them of an inquiry.

Harish Chaudhary, secretary, All India Congress Committee and in-charge of Punjab affairs, said Rahul has not ordered an inquiry. "He wants the matter looked into," said Chaudhary.

Appointment row

• A group of Mahila Congress is opposing appointment of Kittu Grewal (pic) as the state chief
• Kittu alleges humiliation at Rahul's meeting, says was not allowed to meet him; writes to party leadership
• Rival group claims Rahul has ordered probe into the merits of her appointment