Jagran Correspondent, Bathinda: Internal factionalism within the Punjab Congress resurfaced on Monday during a district-level party workers’ meeting in Bathinda’s Goniana.
As Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring stood up to address the gathering, a section of party workers began raising slogans in support of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
The incident occurred in the presence of several senior leaders, including Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, once again bringing the state unit’s ongoing internal rift into focus.
Warring Invites Protester On Stage
To defuse the tension, Warring called one of the workers onto the stage. He told the worker that if he wanted to chant in support of Channi, he should do so from the stage. He further suggested the worker call the former Chief Minister directly from the stage. The worker attempted to call him, but it failed to connect, after which a group of Channi supporters left the venue.
‘I Will Not Resign’: Warring
When asked at a post-event press conference whether his resignation could resolve the party’s internal rift, Warring said, “I will not resign.” He added that if the party high command ever asks him to step down, he will continue to serve as a normal worker.
Warring further stated that raising slogans for leaders is natural, noting that he, too, had earlier raised slogans in support of Channi.
Baghel Downplays Incident, Urges Unity Ahead Of Polls
Meanwhile, Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel downplayed the incident, stating that the Congress is a large family where differences among leaders are not unusual. He said all internal issues will be resolved through dialogue and the focus will remain on strengthening the organisation.
Appealing to party workers to work unitedly for the 2027 Assembly elections, Baghel stated that the party’s goal is to raise public issues and return to power in the state. He added that all leaders and workers are soldiers of the Congress, and party interests must come first.