Chandigarh: Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Friday dismissed reports of factionalism within the state unit, saying the issue was being exaggerated by sections of the media and some individuals. He asserted that all senior leaders would work together under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing a press conference in Fatehgarh Sahib, Baghel said he had met all senior Punjab Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, and had submitted his report to the party high command.
He urged party workers to begin preparations for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, which he said are likely to be held in November-December. Baghel claimed the state was heading for a five-cornered contest and asserted that the Congress was the only credible alternative to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Alleging that the AAP government, like the BJP-led Centre, was driven by “politics of vendetta”, Baghel said Congress had never believed in revenge politics. He claimed the AAP government’s tenure in Punjab was nearing its end and said the party’s electoral success would depend on strengthening its organisation at every polling booth.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of relying on a ₹1,000-crore advertising budget to sustain his government’s image. He claimed that once the publicity stopped, the government’s “political oxygen supply” would also end.
Rejecting reports of divisions within the Congress, Warring said the party remained united and alleged that the media was highlighting minor differences while ignoring internal issues within the AAP. He also claimed that several AAP leaders were in touch with the BJP.
Warring said he had the highest respect for senior leaders, including Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi, adding that he would remain with the Congress regardless of whether he held any party post or even received an election ticket.
Baghel said Channi’s recent meeting with Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal further reinforced that the entire Punjab Congress leadership would remain united.
Responding to questions about Channi and Warring holding separate programmes in Barnala and Faridkot, Baghel said both leaders were carrying out their respective responsibilities and stood united in supporting students allegedly injured during the recent police action.
Targeting the Centre, Baghel alleged that the police action against students during the July 20 Parliament march fell under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry. He also questioned why BJP president J.P. Nadda, instead of the Union Home Minister, met the protesting students, claiming it reflected differences within the central leadership.
