The internal tussle within the Punjab Congress over the recent organisational restructuring appears to have intensified, with the party high command reportedly making it clear that there will be no rollback of the decisions already taken. Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel ruled out any change in the party's state leadership, asserting that the Congress high command's decision is final and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will continue as the Punjab Congress president. Addressing reporters, Baghel dismissed speculation over a possible leadership change, saying the appointment of a state Congress chief is not a casual decision.
"Choosing a Congress president is not a game of dolls. The high command's decision will not be changed. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will continue as the Punjab Congress president," he said. Baghel added that district presidents and PCC members had unanimously welcomed the party high command's decision. He also said party leaders had congratulated all three working presidents appointed by the Congress. Referring to senior leaders Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Baghel said he had already spoken to both and would meet them soon.
"There is no tradition in the Congress of reversing the high command's decisions. I have spoken to Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and I will meet them soon. If required, I will personally visit their homes and meet them over tea. This is not a game where you simply change the party president," Baghel said.
What did Ashok Gehlot say?
Earlier on Tuesday, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said any differences within the Punjab unit would be resolved by the party high command soon and expressed confidence that all leaders will work unitedly to help form a Congress government in the state. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, the former Rajasthan Chief Minister said the party high command is in the know of things and all matters would be resolved very soon.
"In Punjab, reports about recent decisions causing some unrest are in the knowledge of the party high command and they are looking into it. We hope the issues of misunderstanding or differences would be resolved very soon. All Congress leaders would together fight the elections and a Congress government would be formed in Punjab," he said.
Channi yet to meet Baghel amid leadership buzz
Amid reports of infighting within the Punjab Congress, AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel held a series of pre-scheduled meetings with party leaders in Chandigarh. However, leaders backing former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for the post of Punjab Congress president are yet to meet him. Addressing reporters, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring dismissed speculation over the meetings and said Channi's interaction with Baghel would take place soon.
Responding to a query, Warring said Baghel had already met the chairpersons of almost all party committees, except two. He added that Channi, who heads the Congress campaign committee, and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, the chairperson of the party's core committee, are expected to meet Baghel within the next couple of days.
