Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has brushed aside speculation about a fallout with former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, saying the party's leaders are united and will contest the next Assembly elections together.
Reacting to demands by some party leaders to appoint Channi as the Punjab Congress president, Warring said there was no division within the organisation. He said senior leaders would soon be seen sharing the stage and working together for the state. “I think in the days to come, you will find us all together, united on the same stage. Together, we will fight for Punjab,” he added.
Dismissing rumours of a leadership tussle, Warring said neither Channi nor any other senior Congress leader had sought a change in the state unit's leadership.
He also cautioned party members against violating discipline. Referring to recent meetings held at Channi's residence, where some MLAs reportedly expressed support for a change in leadership, Warring said appropriate action would be taken against anyone found breaching party discipline.
"Action will be taken against any individual who said anything like that. Everyone has the right to express themselves, but nobody has the right to be indisciplined," he emphasised.
Warring also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming it has little political future in Punjab. Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, he downplayed recent developments that appeared to favour the BJP, saying, "Let them (BJP) be happy for a day or two."
He asserted that the Congress remained the key political force in Punjab and said the party would not allow the BJP to expand its footprint in the state.
Meanwhile, amid reports of differences within the Punjab Congress after Channi, recently appointed chairman of the party's Election Campaign Committee, met his supporters in Morinda, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the party welcomes diverse opinions while remaining committed to a common objective.
Ramesh said internal discussions and differing viewpoints were part of the Congress culture. He added that unlike other parties, the Congress does not discourage its leaders from expressing their views.
"We are a democratic party. We don't suppress anyone's voice. I agree that discipline is necessary. People should know their limits. But we don't say, 'Do only this, say only this'. We explain things. We work democratically. If there is one democratic party in our country where people have the freedom to speak and think, it's the Congress party. So there are many voices, but the goal is one," he added.
Also read: Punjab Cong rejig exposes rift between Warring and Channi camps
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