Chandigarh: Amid ongoing factionalism within the Punjab Congress, the party’s Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday held a crucial meeting with leaders from former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s camp in an effort to bridge internal differences.
The meeting was organised at the Chandigarh residence of Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh and was attended by senior leaders, including Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, OP Soni and Pargat Singh.
Before entering the meeting venue in Chandigarh’s Sector 4, Channi made a cryptic remark, saying, “Wait and see which way the wind blows.”
Speaking about the meeting, Congress MLA Pargat Singh said Bhupesh Baghel, as the party’s Punjab in-charge, would assess the situation after discussions and brief the party high command. He added that any decision taken would be in the best interests of the Congress.
Rana Gurjit Singh said all leaders who had contested the previous Assembly elections were present and would place their views before Baghel.
Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Rana Gurjit also questioned the timing of raids conducted on his business establishments, alleging that they coincided with the gathering of Congress legislators at his residence to meet the party’s Punjab in-charge.
By the time of reporting, nearly 45 Congress leaders had reached the venue and were awaiting Baghel’s arrival.
The meeting comes at a crucial time as the Congress high command attempts to resolve growing factionalism in the Punjab unit ahead of future political battles.
Baghel has been in Chandigarh for the past five days, holding a series of meetings with senior party leaders to review the organisational structure and the political situation in the state. On Friday, he also met Congress MLA and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Aruna Chaudhary. Leaders from Channi’s camp had stayed away from the earlier meetings, making Saturday’s interaction a significant attempt at reconciliation. All eyes are now on whether the discussions help ease the divisions within the Punjab Congress.
