Patiala: Internal differences within the Punjab Congress once again came to the fore on Friday after workers raised slogans in support of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi during a party organisational meeting in Patiala, disrupting the speech of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
The meeting was organised as part of the party’s campaign to strengthen its booth-level organisational structure. Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel was also present on the stage during the programme.
The situation turned tense when a section of workers began shouting slogans such as “Channi Liaao, Punjab Bachao” and “Channi Liaao, Congress Bachao” as Raja Warring started addressing the gathering. The slogan shouting interrupted the programme for some time.
Raja Warring paused his speech and questioned the conduct of the workers raising slogans. Warning them against disrupting an official party event, he said strict disciplinary action would be taken against those attempting to damage the party’s image.
Despite the warning, the slogan shouting continued, with more workers joining in, causing the venue to echo with slogans in support of Channi.
Meanwhile, Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and four other senior Congress leaders from the district remained absent from the party programme, further fuelling speculation over internal differences within the state unit.
