Amid discord in Punjab Congress, MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa demanded removal of ‘compromised leaders’ for 2027 elections. After the meeting with Bhupesh Baghel, he stressed on unity, while Baghel denied factionalism.
Chandigarh (Punjab) [भारत]July 11 (ANI): Amid speculations of infighting in the Punjab Congress, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Saturday openly advocated not handing over the reins to ‘compromised leaders’ for the 2027 assembly elections.
We do not want a compromising leader: Randhawa
After the meeting of Congress leaders with AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, Randhawa said the talks were productive, accepting that the party sometimes has to reverse its decisions. He also stressed that he expects the Congress to come out united in the upcoming elections. “We had a productive conversation in which it was accepted that sometimes the party has to reverse some decisions,” he told reporters.
His message to the leadership was simple, he said, “Our demands from the leadership present here today are clear. We want a Congress government in Punjab, and we want to address issues like law and order and corruption. To achieve this, we need unity within the party, but we also need leaders who will speak boldly and decisively. We do not want compromised leaders.”
The rift in the party’s Punjab unit arose out of decisions to retain some leaders in their posts, with Amarinder Singh Raja continuing as the state Congress president. Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who had declined to comment on the meeting’s agenda ahead of the meeting, told reporters, “He (Sukhjinder Randhawa) had said. It was decided. It was a leadership decision.”
Some other Congress leaders appreciated Baghel listening to their complaints and said the party high command seemed receptive to their problems. Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh compared the meeting process with that of other parties, saying, “AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel is an experienced leader, who has also served as chief minister… In other parties, no one is allowed to express their grievances; this happens only in the Congress party.”
Congress MLA Pargat Singh claimed that Baghel listened to his concerns and the final decision rested with the Congress high command. He said, “All shortcomings were discussed. Bhupesh Baghel has assured us that we are all one team, one family, and if there are some discrepancies, we will correct them, and in the future, the Congress party will definitely come to power in Punjab and form a good government… Now it is up to the high command.”
Everything is fine, no resentment: Bhupesh Baghel
This comes after Baghel said on Saturday that the concerns raised by Punjab Congress leaders during the party meeting in Chandigarh would be conveyed to the party high command, while also insisting that there is “no resentment” within the state unit and all leaders stand by the leadership’s decisions.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Baghel said he spoke with senior party leaders and assured them that their concerns would be considered. Baghel said, “I spoke and met all colleagues. They shared their views, and no one has any objection to the high command’s decision. Everyone stands with the high command. My colleagues raised some issues, and I assured them all that I will take care of everyone’s interests. No one should feel at a disadvantage just because they do not have the support of any big leader. If a candidate is able to win, he will definitely get the ticket.”
He further said, “Another important thing is that the issues raised by our colleagues will be taken up to the high command. There is no resentment. There was no discussion regarding the tickets. I said this on my behalf.”
Dismissing speculations about a possible change in the Punjab Congress leadership, Baghel said there was no discussion regarding replacing Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding. He said, “No such thing happened,” and added, “Everything is fine.”
Signs of differences were visible even before the meeting began. Randhawa had earlier remarked that state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Vading “should have come in person” to participate in the discussion. The meeting came after a series of consultations held by Baghel with senior leaders, as the Congress looks to strengthen organizational unity in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet News editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)