The Congress on Thursday ruled out any change of leadership in Punjab. The party high command also issued a strict warning to the dissenting leaders, asking them to fall in line. This implies that incumbent Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring will continue till the next elections.
A meeting of senior party leaders was held at the AICC headquarters, which was chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, general secretary KC Venugopal, general secretary and Punjab incharge Bhupesh Bhagel, senior leader Ambkia Soni and others.
From Punjab, the meeting was attended by PCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Congress general secretary Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rana KP Singh, Vijay Inder Singla and Dr Amar Singh.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Venugopal said that the meeting lasted for three hours and each and every leader from Punjab gave his views. He said it was a fruitful meeting as the leaders expressed their opinions about strengthening the party.
Replying to a question on the leadership issues, he said there is no question of leadership change in Punjab. The high command has also issued strict instructions against airing any views in public.
Venugopal said leaders have been asked to observe complete discipline and not to issue statements in media or on social media platforms on the issues which must only be discussed on party platforms. He said the party has given clear directions to leaders to refrain from giving such statements.
Replying to another question about some 30 leaders from Punjab having sought an appointment with the high command, Venugopal said the leaders are welcome to meet anyone in the high command in their individual capacity. But he made it categorically clear that no groupism will be tolerated at any cost.
To another question on representation to Dalits, Venugopal said the party is committed to giving due representation to the marginalised sections of the society, including SCs, STs and economically weaker sections from the general castes all across the country. Bhagel said there was a public sentiment across Punjab that people there want the Congress to form the government.
Also read: Congress caught in caste crosshairs in Punjab
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