Congress is facing the onslaught of the rebels so much that there are about 12 to 15 “serious” Independents who threaten to walk away with 2-4,000 votes in their strongholds¸ if not more, which would practically seal the fate of the official Congress candidate. Moreover, there are at least 15-odd candidates, all former Congress workers, who may not pose a serious threat, but are in the fray just to act as spoilers.
State Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh first appealed to the candidates to withdraw and then warned them. “Party president Sonia Gandhi was clear on the issue that indiscipline cannot be tolerated at any cost. Once the rebels are expelled for five years, they will not be allowed to return for five years,” he said.
But few are listening to the cajoling, pleading and threats issued by the Congress leadership. Senior party leaders like Oscar Fernandes and BK Hariprasad were sent from Delhi to quell rebellion and convince them to withdraw. They succeeded partially as the number of rebels has come down but still it is not in zone of comfort which the Congress would have liked.
Sources in the party said that the strategy adopted for the rebels was “old, tried and tested”. The rebels were offered posts of chairpersons and members in Boards and Corporations, once the party forms Government after the Akali-BJP defeat. A few took the bait and withdrew, others stood ground.
Congress sources claimed that more rebels could have withdrawn but for the Akali Dal funding their campaign. “The Akalis want the rebels to continue. Their campaign is being funded by them,” a party leader alleged.
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