All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, is arriving in Chandigarh on Monday to assess the growing unrest within the Punjab Congress after the party decided to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief.
Three AICC co-incharges—Suraj Thakur, Ravindra Dalvi and Hina Kavre—are already in the state. They have been meeting party leaders and holding discussions with those unhappy over the leadership decision.
Party sources said several leaders considered close to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi are unlikely to meet Baghel during his visit.
Leaders backing Warring are expected to meet Baghel and present their views. Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to reach out to leaders who attended Channi's show of strength at his Morinda residence on Friday.
Over the past few days, Warring has also been meeting party leaders to strengthen support within the organisation. A senior Congress leader said both the Warring and Channi camps are trying to keep their respective supporters together.
Party sources said leaders opposed to Warring are working to build a common platform to press for a change in the state leadership. Several of them have reportedly asked Channi to raise their concerns before the Congress high command.
On Saturday, Warring struck a conciliatory note, saying Channi was a senior leader and former Chief Minister, and there was nothing unusual if Congress leaders met him at his residence.
He added that party leaders could similarly gather at his own residence or at Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa's home, and such meetings should not be seen as signs of infighting.
Warring also maintained that there was no factionalism in the Punjab Congress and said all senior leaders would soon be seen together on a common platform.
Also read: Punjab Cong rejig exposes rift between Warring and Channi camps
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