Congress Tells Punjab Dissidents to Follow Party Discipline, Rejects Change in State Leadership
The Congress party has strongly advised dissenting leaders from Punjab to adhere to party discipline and refrain from publicly airing grievances against the state party chief. This message was conveyed during a meeting at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday.
AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal met with Punjab functionaries Charanjit Channi, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Pargat Singh, and Rana Gurjeet. According to sources, the discussions were held individually between the AICC and the state leaders.
The Punjab leaders were reportedly told that any complaints or concerns about internal party matters should be raised through proper organizational channels. They were warned that public dissent only benefits the Congress's political rivals and is unacceptable.
Following the meeting, Channi stated, “We have put our case before the party. We will toe the party line, we are with the party.”
State in-charge Bhupesh Baghel had submitted his report on the dissidence to Venugopal on Wednesday. Baghel later suggested that there would be no change in the state leadership, effectively rebuffing the dissidents.
Sources indicated that Venugopal told the Punjab leaders that the party would not accept any “armtwisting.” Emphasis was placed on discipline and focusing on upcoming state elections.
Party managers claimed that the state leaders do not have a list of demands but are unhappy that they did not become state president as they had expected. Channi and Randhawa were reportedly hoping for a promotion after a review of the state organization by an AICC panel.
Congress later announced that it would maintain the status quo with Amarinder Raja Warring as state president. Channi was appointed as the in-charge of the campaign committee, and Randhawa as the in-charge of the coordination committee, both election-related roles.
A senior AICC leader said the party is uncertain how the state leaders will respond to the message of discipline and will wait to see their future actions. However, there is optimism that the functioning of the state unit will return to normal soon.
