In a significant move amid the ongoing rift in the Punjab Congress unit, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa skipped a meeting of dissident leaders and instead appeared alongside state unit chief Amarinder Raja Warring to welcome party observer Bhupesh Baghel at the Mohali airport on Monday evening. The development signals Bajwa's attempt to maintain a middle line aligned with the party high command.
Bajwa's Absence at Dissident Meet
Earlier in the day, disgruntled senior Punjab Congress leaders had gathered in Mohali to close ranks against Warring's appointment as state unit chief. However, Bajwa, who holds the position of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, was conspicuously absent from that meeting. Party insiders revealed that Bajwa had recently closed ranks with former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and had been sending his close associates to a 'show-of-strength' meeting held last Friday at Channi's Morinda residence.
Despite this, Bajwa's actions on Monday indicated a deliberate effort to avoid direct confrontation with the party high command. One of his close confidants, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Bajwa was toeing the party high command's line given his position as Leader of Opposition.
Welcome at Mohali Airport
Bajwa was joined by senior leaders OP Soni, Harry Mann, and Vikram Chaudhary at the Mohali airport to receive Baghel, who has been tasked with resolving the factional feud in the state unit. The rest of the senior state leadership opposed to Warring was notably absent. Interestingly, OP Soni had also attended the 'show-of-strength' meeting at Channi's residence last Friday.
Warring's supporters raised slogans in his favour as Baghel was welcomed with garlands. Bajwa did not respond to calls seeking comment, but he shared pictures of himself with Baghel on his social media channels, further underscoring his alignment with the central leadership.
Meeting at Bajwa's Residence
Later, Baghel chaired a meeting at Bajwa's residence, which was attended by several MLAs. However, none of the MLAs except Chaudhary were seen at the meeting. Warring was not present, but Bajwa's decision to host the meeting and share images with Baghel publicly was seen as a move to signal loyalty to the party high command.
Party insiders noted a serious trust deficit among top state unit leaders, as they fear being used in what a party MLA, who did not wish to be quoted, described as a 'game of thrones.' The dissident leaders continue to oppose Warring's leadership, while Bajwa's balancing act aims to avoid antagonizing the central leadership while maintaining his position within the state unit.
