Ambika Soni declines to be Punjab CM, recommends a Sikh instead

New Delhi: Congress chairman Ambika Soni, who was called in a late-night meeting with Rahul Gandhi, has refused to become Punjab chief minister. Sources close to her said that she has proposed that a Sikh be appointed as the state's chief minister.

After Ambika's refusal, the Congress party, which wanted her to be the new chief minister when Amarinder Singh resigned, is now considering Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, and Ravneet Singh Bittu as possible candidates. Originally, the party had chosen to designate Sunil Jhakhar as Chief Minister, but the party's leadership is now reconsidering that decision.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi held a late-night meeting with party leader Ambika Soni and General Secretary Organization K.C. Venugopal. The meeting ended post-midnight on Sunday.

Discussion on a new chief minister was held, according to sources, and also strategy to pacify Amarinder Singh was discussed. Since Ambika Soni hails from Punjab, the party leadership wanted her to become the Chief Minister till elections are held.

According to the sources, the party wants to counter the AAP which is gaining ground in the state with a non-Sikh face ahead of the elections.