Chandigarh: Amid continuing factionalism within the Punjab Congress, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has held a meeting with more than a dozen party MLAs in Chandigarh, with the group deciding to seek a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Following the meeting, the MLAs have written to Rahul Gandhi requesting an appointment to discuss the prevailing situation in the Punjab Congress and differences among senior party leaders.
According to the leaders, they want to apprise Rahul Gandhi of the ongoing internal disputes and discuss the way forward for the party. They also pointed out that Punjab Congress leaders have not had a meeting with Rahul Gandhi for a considerable period.
Bajwa has meanwhile reached Delhi, adding significance to the latest developments within the state unit.
Factional differences continue
The development comes amid ongoing differences between various factions of the Punjab Congress, including leaders associated with former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel had visited Chandigarh on July 6 and met Bajwa at his official residence. Leaders associated with the Warring and Channi camps were not present at that meeting.
Bajwa had said at the time that Baghel had assured him that, as a senior Congress leader, he would try to act as a bridge between disgruntled leaders and the party high command.
Meanwhile, leaders associated with Raja Warring have played down the latest meeting. They said several MLAs had met in Chandigarh and sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi, but maintained that the Congress high command continued to have confidence in Warring and that the state party chief was working continuously to strengthen the organisation.
