Just hours before All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, is scheduled to arrive in Ludhiana, senior Punjab Congress leaders have come together to oppose Amrinder Raja Warring's continuation as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president.
The leaders decided to openly voice their opposition to Warring's leadership during a meeting held in Mohali on Monday. Soon after the meeting, they posted a group photograph on social media, drawing attention to the show of unity.
The Punjab Congress also shared pictures from the meeting on its official social media accounts. The party said the gathering was held to discuss strengthening the organisation and preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Warring also posted pictures from the same meeting on his social media handle. However, he was not seen in the group picture, adding to speculation about growing differences within the state Congress unit.
Describing the meeting, Warring said it was held to discuss the party's strategy for the Punjab Assembly elections. He insisted it was "not a meeting of any camp" and sought to dismiss reports of factionalism within the party.
A senior Congress leader said this was the second public display of resentment against Warring in just three days. The first took place on Friday during a meeting at former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's residence in Morinda.
Over the last two days, senior leaders, including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Partap Singh Bajwa, Charanjit Singh Channi and Pargat Singh, have held several meetings to build a common front against Warring.
"Earlier, leaders like Randhawa, Bajwa and Pargat were not part of the show of strength at Channi's residence. Now they have come together to send a clear message to the party leadership. We are ready to accept anyone as PPCC chief except Warring," a senior party leader said.
The leaders have also decided to stay away from Baghel's meeting with senior party functionaries. However, leaders supporting Warring are expected to attend the meeting.
In recent days, both camps have been reaching out to party leaders to strengthen their support base. While Warring has been holding meetings with his supporters, Channi and other senior leaders are also trying to rally leaders behind their demand for a change in the state leadership.
According to party sources, leaders opposing Warring are now working together on a common platform to press for a new PPCC chief. They said Channi has been authorised by several senior leaders to present their concerns before the Congress high command.
Also read: Baghel to reach Chandigarh to assess dissent in Punjab Congress
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