Asserts, complete unity in Punjab Congress; leadership issue closed
Punjab E News (PEN News): AICC general secretary in charge Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel today said that Punjabis were looking forward to Congress with great hope and expectations to provide a credible and people friendly government. He said they were completely disillusioned with the Aam Aadmi Party and wanted to get rid of this government at any cost.
Addressing a press conference after attending the ‘Harr booth Mazboot’ programme of the party organized here today, Baghel said, the Congress has a glorious history of serving the people. Besides, he added, it is the Congress which restored peace in Punjab.
The former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister asserted that there was complete unity in the Punjab Congress and all the issues had been resolved. He said he had submitted his report to the high command after which the high command held a detailed meeting with the senior leadership from the state.
Replying to a question about some leaders not being present at today’s programme, Baghel said, the programme was at the district level and such programmes are being held in all the districts. Besides, he added, all the leaders cannot be present at the same place at the same time.
To another question on the leadership issue before elections, he said, the high command has said it already that the leadership issue in Punjab is closed and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will continue to be the PCC president.
The Congress general secretary predicted a five-cornered contest in Punjab this time between the Congress, the ruling AAP, the BJP, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Waris Punjab De. He said, only the Congress was in a position to defeat the AAP.
Speaking on the occasion, PCC president said that there was a clear understanding between the AAP and the BJP. He said, under this hidden understanding, the AAP will be contesting Gujarat elections to divide the anti-BJP vote, which would otherwise go to the Congress. IN a quid pro quo, the BJP will be helping the AAP in Punjab, he added.
Replying to a question about the Punjab education minister demanding a CBI inquiry into the paper leaks in Punjab, he said, it was strange and surprising that the minister who is a favourite of the Delhi leadership would demand such an inquiry when the AAP has earlier accused the CBI and the ED of working at the BJP’s behest.
Warring reiterated that about 50 AAP MLAs were ready to jump ship. He said, they are just biding time so that their work in the constituencies does not suffer and they are not intimidated and harassed.
He said, the AAP was a house divided against itself with a lot of restlessness among the party MLAs. He pointed out, six of its MPs from Punjab had defected to the BJP while about 50 MLAs were waiting to go. “Did any of the Congress MPs, MLAs or candidates defect to BJP?” he asked, while asserting that it was the AAP which was ridden by factionalism and not the Congress.
Senior Congress leader and former minister Balbir Singh Sidhu was also present during the press conference.
