Chandigarh: A day after Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa spoke about “compromised leaders” and “sleeper cells” within the party, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said he would personally ask Randhawa whom he was referring to.
Responding to questions about Randhawa’s remarks, Warring said Randhawa was a senior leader and a former Punjab home minister who had repeatedly spoken about “compromised leaders” and “sleeper cells” while sharing the stage with him.
Warring agreed with Randhawa that such “sleeper cells” could exist across political parties. He cited the example of Ravneet Singh Bittu, saying Bittu had earlier met Union Home Minister Amit Shah before leaving the Congress and joining the BJP.
Warring said he would ask Randhawa whether his remarks referred to leaders who meet Shah or Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Punjab Congress factionalism resurfaces
Warring also defended his absence from the Congress’ Rakhar Punnia conference at Baba Bakala, saying it was not necessary for every senior leader to attend every event.
The conference was attended by former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Randhawa, MLA Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Rana Gurjit Singh. During his address, Randhawa had said the party needed leaders who were willing to fight and not those who had entered into compromises.
The remarks have once again highlighted factional differences within the Punjab Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The internal tussle had become particularly visible after the high command retained Warring as state president and appointed Channi chairman of the election committee on July 1. The Channi camp had opposed Warring’s continuation and has been pushing for Channi to be projected as the party’s chief ministerial face for 2027.
Warring warns Mann over action against protesting employees
Warring also warned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann against taking any strict action against government employees who participated in the August 27 strike.
He said employees have a democratic right to protest as long as their demonstrations remain within the law.
“You cannot scare them by threatening action,” Warring said, challenging the chief minister to take action against the employees and warning that Mann could face consequences he had not anticipated.
