The Congress party is facing internal disagreements ahead of the important Ludhiana (West) Assembly bypoll on June 19. According to sources, the issue may be discussed on May 29, when Bhupesh Baghel, AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, visits the state.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring did not comment directly on the matter but said he was confident that the party would win the bypoll. Baghel had earlier asked all Congress leaders to show unity and made it clear that Warring will remain the state party chief, ending rumors of a leadership change.
However, Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu seems to have had his way, as a two-member committee was formed to oversee the bypoll. The panel includes Rana Gurjeet Singh and Sham Sunder Arora.
Despite Baghel’s instructions to involve top leaders like Warring and Partap Singh Bajwa (Leader of Opposition), they have been left out of the poll planning. Party insiders say Ashu’s supporters have serious differences with both Warring and Bajwa.
So far, even former MLAs from Ludhiana’s eight Assembly segments have not been included in the campaign process. One source said the party hopes to show unity when Ashu files his nomination.
In the past, Ashu had accused Warring and Bajwa of not helping him during corruption charges. Rana Gurjeet has also criticized Warring, calling him “selfish” and expressing interest in leading the party. Warring had responded by warning of action against party leaders who break discipline.
Be the first to comment