Amidst the ongoing tussle regarding the Punjab Congress leadership, AICC General Secretary in-charge for the state, Bhupesh Baghel, held a meeting on Saturday with party leaders considered close to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
The meeting took place in Channi’s presence at the Sector 4 residence of senior Punjab Congress leader and MLA Rana Gurjit. Baghel arrived at Rana Gurjit’s house around 12:15 PM.
After the meeting, AICC General Secretary in-charge Bhupesh Baghel stated, “Rana (Congress MLA Rana Gurjit) had invited us. He is a senior leader. I spoke with and met all the colleagues. They shared their views, and no one has any objection to the High Command’s decision; everyone stands with the High Command.” Baghel added, “My colleagues raised certain points, and I assured them that I would look after everyone’s interests. No one should suffer a disadvantage simply because they lack the backing of a prominent leader. If a candidate has the potential to win, they will certainly get the ticket. The colleagues raised some issues, which I will convey to the High Command. No one is upset.”
Bhupesh Baghel working to resolve Congress infighting
It is worth noting that Baghel has been meeting Congress leaders in Chandigarh for the past five days, while the Channi faction had maintained a distance. On Friday, Baghel also met Aruna Chaudhary, the Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assembly. The Channi faction is demanding a reconsideration of the decision to appoint Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the state president.
However, the High Command has already clarified that Raja Warring will remain the state president. Due to the High Command’s firm stance, Channi and his supporting leaders agreed to the meeting today.
Meeting lasted over two hours
Bhupesh Baghel held a meeting with Charanjit Channi that lasted for approximately two hours and fifteen minutes. The meeting took place at the residence of MLA Rana Gurjit Singh. In addition to Channi and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also participated. It is anticipated that the ongoing infighting within the Congress party might be resolved following this meeting.
Speaking about the meeting, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa stated that the discussion was productive and acknowledged that the party sometimes has to alter certain decisions. He added that their demands were clearly articulated to the leadership present.
“We want a Congress government in Punjab and aim to address issues such as law and order and corruption. This requires unity within the party, but we also need leaders who can voice their opinions boldly and firmly. We do not need leaders who are prone to compromise.”
What did Charanjit Singh Channi say?
Before entering Rana Gurjit’s residence, when asked if he accepted Warring as the state unit president, Channi replied that everything would be discussed during the meeting.
When it was pointed out that many of his supporters do not accept Warring’s leadership, he said, “Let the discussion take place first. You already know what our stance has been from the beginning.” Making an enigmatic remark, he added, “We shall wait and see how things unfold.”
In a post on X on Friday evening, Channi wrote, “United for Punjab. We have invited Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel ji on July 11 to convey the sentiments of Congress workers and the people of Punjab to him.” Warring did not attend the meeting held with Baghel on Saturday.
Meanwhile, when asked about his absence from the meeting, Raja Warring stated that the party’s General Secretary in-charge meets with everyone. He remarked that it is not mandatory for every meeting to take place in the presence of the state unit president.
