Punjab Congress rift deepens: Baghel peace meet fails to signal thaw as Channi, Randhawa say exit of Warring must for party unity

New Delhi: The much-awaited meeting on Saturday between change seekers of the Punjab Congress and AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel in Chandigarh failed to signal any thaw in the inner-party tension as change seekers led by Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Singh and their supporters are learnt to have reiterated their demand for the removal of high command-backed PCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring during their closed-door meeting . After the meeting, they publicly set “removal of compromised leaders” as a pre-condition for uniting the poll-facing State Congress. Baghel is learnt to have told the group he would convey their issues to the high command even as he publicly stood by the leadership’s decision to continue with Warring. The PCC president was kept out of the meeting as demanded by the change-seekers.

"We had a productive dialogue, acknowledging that sometimes the party must reverse certain decisions. Our demand to the leadership present today is clear. We want a Congress government in Punjab, and we want to address issues like the law-and-order situation and corruption. To achieve this, we need unity within the party, but we also need leaders who speak boldly and decisively. We do not need compromised leaders", Randhawa told journalists after the meeting without naming Warring but leaving none in doubt about whom he had in mind. Channi also said that Randhawa stated their view and that it was the leadership’s decision to continue with Warring. "He (Sukhjinder Randhawa) had said it. It ( PCC leadership) was decided and it was the leadership's decision", he quipped.

Later Baghel said; “I met and spoke with all our colleagues. Everyone agrees that the party should abide by the decision of the high command. There were a few issues that our colleagues raised. I assured all of them that, as the General Secretary in charge, I will safeguard everyone's interests and I will convey all of them (the issues raised) to the party high command".


Responding to journalists’ queries about Randhawa’s demand for “removal of compromised leaders”, Warring said at a different venue; “Who is compromised? Has he taken any names? If not, why are you people pointing it at me? Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is absolutely right. If anyone is compromised, they cannot stay with us. We do not need any sleeper cell or compromised leader in our party. Many leaders are accused of meeting BJP leaders and at times leaders from the 'Jhadu' party (Aam Aadmi Party). Punjab does not need a compromised leader...”