randhawa-defends-channi-s-absence-from-cwc-meeting

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has brushed aside questions over former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s absence from the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, saying Channi was busy appearing for his PhD examinations.

 

Speaking to reporters, Randhawa questioned why Channi’s absence from the important party meeting was receiving so much media attention. He said the former chief minister was focused on his studies and was writing an examination. “He is studying. Is this really important national news? Everyone knows that he is appearing for an exam,” Randhawa said.

The CWC meeting also discussed several issues, including paper leaks, student protests, the alleged “Chanda Chori” and recent developments in Haldwani. Congress leader KC Venugopal said the party would raise these matters and take them to the grassroots level.

 

According to Venugopal, more than 88 leaders attended the meeting, while 33 leaders, including chief ministers and senior CWC members, took part in the discussions.

 

He also criticised the developments in Haldwani following a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Venugopal demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that the incident reflected an “upper-caste mindset”.

 

At the meeting, Kharge accused the Modi government of damaging the prospects of young people during its 12 years in power. He claimed that around 94,000 schools had been shut in recent years and called for a clear and time-bound roadmap linking education with employment opportunities.

 

Speaking at Indira Bhawan, the Congress headquarters, Kharge said the focus should have been on opening more schools rather than closing existing ones. He said the country needed a stronger plan to prepare young people for the future.

 

Kharge further alleged that higher education was becoming increasingly costly for ordinary families because of growing privatisation. He also claimed that educational institutions were increasingly coming under the influence of organisations linked to the RSS.

 

“The time has come for Congress to prepare a clear, comprehensive and time-bound Education-to-Employment Roadmap for the youth to prepare for the future,” Kharge said.