Chandigarh, Sep 8 (PTI) The Punjab Congress’ protest against the AAP government over various issues on Tuesday again highlighted an internal rift within the state unit as prominent faces including former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa skipped the party’s demonstration.
Their absence appeared to be weighing on the mind of state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring who told party members during the protest that there was no infighting and they should remain united on the ground for the party.
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) had organised a major protest against the Bhagwant Mann government over several issues, including the drug menace and alleged deteriorating law and order.
During the protest, which was led by Warring, the Congress leaders and workers were stopped by the Chandigarh Police when they attempted to head towards Chief Minister Mann’s official residence to gherao it. Many leaders were detained by the police.
In his address at the protest, Warring said, “Somebody says Raja Warring will go tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. But what do you have to do? You (workers) will have to stand behind Congress leaders with party flags in your hands.
“There is no difference. There is no enmity amongst us.
“Be it Channi saab or any other big leader, there is no infighting. But I want to urge you to get together on the ground,” Warring said in his address.
The Ludhiana MP asserted his unfailing loyalty and commitment towards the Congress, saying no matter what position he holds, he will always remain with the Congress which has given him a lot.
He told the Congress workers that they must look forward towards the party and ensure that every candidate who gets the party ticket wins so that Punjab gets rid of the “corrupt” and “incompetent” government.
Last month also, Channi had skipped the party’s protest programme at the Punjab Congress headquarters.
Significantly, Channi and Randhawa attended a protest in Jalandhar on Monday against the BJP over the alleged “purification” ritual carried out after a public meeting addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani and the registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi.
Ever since Warring was retained as the Punjab Congress chief, many leaders siding with Channi have stayed away from programmes organised under the Ludhiana MP leadership.
According to a party statement, all 25 district Congress committee presidents participated in Tuesday’s protest in Chandigarh.
Among the senior leaders present included Rana K P Singh, Amit Vij, Balbir Sidhu, Brahm Mohindra, Kuljeet Nagra, Shamsher Singh Dullo, MP Gurjeet Aujla, Dalvir Goldy, Dr Raj Kumar Verka, Hardyal Kambhoj, Sandeep Sandhu, Sadhu Singh Dharmsot, Sukhwinder Danny, Sham Sunder Arora, Kulbir Zira, Rakesh Pandey, Pawan Dewan, Sunil Dutti, Pawan Adia, Mohit Mohindra and others.
The Punjab Congress unit has been grappling with factionalism for the past many weeks.
The infighting was triggered after the Congress leadership on July 1 announced its decision to retain Warring as the state unit chief and appoint Jalandhar MP and former chief minister Channi as the chairperson of its campaign committee.
A section of leaders led by Channi opposed the move to retain Warring as the Punjab Congress president and sought his removal from the position.
Channi’s supporters openly demanded removal of Warring from the Punjab Congress chief post and declaration of the Jalandhar MP as the chief ministerial face of the party for the 2027 assembly polls.
The Congress on Saturday carried out a major organisational reshuffle and appointed Sachin Pilot as general secretary in-charge of poll-bound Punjab, replacing Bhupesh Baghel. PTI CHS KSS KSS
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