Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday dismissed speculation that the Channi camp had rejected his leadership, challenging reporters to name a single senior leader unwilling to accept him. He stated that in a day or two, all leaders would be seen together.
Meeting with Baghel Scheduled
Senior Congress leaders close to former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi will hold a meeting with party state general secretary in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday. This comes three days after Baghel ruled out any change in the state party leadership. Warring said Baghel informed him about the scheduled meeting and that Baghel would speak to them separately.
Sources indicated that Channi, Sukhjinder Randhawa, and Rana Gurjit could be among the leaders meeting Baghel. When asked if the Channi camp had insisted Warring not be part of the meeting, Warring said he did not know about that.
Warring's Assurance of Unity
Warring said he did not hold a grudge against any leader and claimed the Congress was united. When told that the Channi camp was not accepting his presidentship, Warring said, "Tell me one senior leader who has said that they are not ready to accept me. Channi, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Aruna Chaudhary, Partap Singh Bajwa, tell me who among these leaders has said so?"
He added that Randhawa was like his elder brother and a senior leader. "They are all my elders. I don't think he is upset with me, but I will speak to him," Warring said.
Background of the Leadership Tussle
Amid the Punjab Congress leadership buzz, senior leaders close to Channi relented on Thursday and decided to meet Baghel. Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh said, "We will meet Baghel and present our views." This development comes days after Baghel began his five-day visit to Punjab to prepare the party for the state Assembly polls due early next year. Baghel has extended his visit by three days.
Channi, who is said to be unhappy over not being appointed state party president, along with leaders close to him, including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Rana Gurjit, is yet to meet Baghel. Since his arrival on Monday, Baghel has held a series of interactions with party leaders and office-bearers, gearing up for the 2027 polls.
Supriya Shrinate's Remarks on Factionalism
Warring, along with senior Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, addressed a press conference. When asked about factionalism in Punjab Congress with Assembly polls a few months away, Shrinate said, "When polls will be held, I have full confidence that the Congress will form its government." She added that politics is another name for ambition, and every person has ambition.
"Our party emerged from the freedom movement; occasionally, there are some differences of opinion, but then we all come together," Shrinate said. "Everything will be resolved. People know only the Congress can take the state on the path of progress."
Replying to a question, she said that in every state, the Congress has capable leaders with followership. "What you call factionalism, I call that leadership. And we are happy that we are not a party which runs according to just one person. One person gets up and issues 'Tughlaki farmans' to do this and that; it is not like that in the Congress."
She said leaders do clash and have differences of opinion, yet they also fight together. "I don't think it is such a big issue," she said, referring to recent developments. She also said, unlike AAP, whose government in Punjab is run by leaders sitting in Delhi, the same culture does not exist in the Congress.
Baghel's Confidence and Previous Statements
On Thursday, Baghel expressed confidence about the party's prospects of forming the government in Punjab after the Assembly elections. He asserted that the Congress is united in Punjab in its mission and purpose and noted that leaders voicing their opinions is unique to the Congress as the party encourages debates and discussions.
"Unlike in other parties, it is not a one-way communication and command in the Congress," he said, adding that the Congress values and respects the seniority and contribution of each leader, which is acknowledged and rewarded at the right time.
Leaders, including Pargat Singh and Randhawa, have asserted that the Congress remained "united and strong," saying the party's larger objective is to return to power after the 2027 Assembly polls. Pargat Singh acknowledged that some "differences of opinion" existed and said these would be conveyed to Baghel.
Recent Developments
On July 1, the Congress announced that Amrinder Singh Raja Warring would continue as the Punjab unit president and appointed Channi as chairperson of the campaign committee. Several senior leaders held a meeting in Mohali in Channi's presence on Monday, days after several incumbent and former MLAs threw their weight behind Channi to be reconsidered for the state unit chief's post.
Dismissing speculation about a rethink on Warring's retention as state party chief, Baghel on Wednesday said, "When the high command has taken a decision, it is not changed. Is this a child's play that the decision will be changed repeatedly?"
