Punjab Congress Leaders Unite Against Warring
Hours before AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, arrived in Ludhiana, senior Punjab Congress leaders held a meeting in Mohali on Monday and decided to openly oppose the continuation of Amarinder Raja Warring as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief. The leaders shared a group photograph on social media after the meeting, signaling their united front.
Second Public Display of Dissent
This marks the second public display of anger against Warring in three days. The first occurred at Charanjit Singh Channi's residence in Morinda on Friday. According to a senior party leader, leaders such as Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Partap Singh Bajwa, Charanjit Singh Channi, and Pargat Singh have held a series of meetings to forge a united front against Warring. “Earlier, leaders such as Randhawa, Pargat and Bajwa had not participated in the show of strength at Channi's Morinda residence. Now, a joint team is being formed to convey a clear and categorical message to the party high command. We are willing to accept anyone as PPCC chief except Warring,” the leader said.
Warring's Response
In response, Warring shared photographs of the same meeting on his social media accounts, though he was conspicuously absent from the group picture. He described the meeting as one to discuss the party's strategy for the Punjab Assembly elections, asserting that it was “not a meeting of any camp”. His statement aimed to reinforce that all was well within the Punjab Congress and to dispel speculation about factionalism.
Boycott of Baghel's Meeting
The dissenting leaders have decided to boycott Baghel's meeting with senior party functionaries. However, leaders backing Warring are expected to meet Baghel. Over the past few days, efforts have been made to reach out to leaders who attended Channi's show of strength on Friday. Warring has also been meeting a section of party leaders to consolidate support. A senior Congress leader said both camps are working to retain their supporters.
Unified Demand for Leadership Change
Sources indicate that leaders opposed to Warring are now attempting to unite on a common platform to press for a change in the state party leadership. Channi has reportedly been authorized by several of them to raise their concerns before the Congress high command.
