Is There Really No Factionalism Within the Punjab Congress?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Congress chief denies factionalism.
- Emphasis on unity over divisive politics.
- Critique of BJP's communal tactics.
- Commitment to inclusivity, especially for SC candidates.
- Future strategies focused on combating polarizing politics.
Chandigarh, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Punjab Congress leader, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, asserted on Tuesday that there is no evidence of factionalism within the state unit of the party.
He emphasized that the Congress Party does not engage in caste or communal politics like the BJP, which often seeks to polarize communities. Warring criticized the AAP government in Punjab for its inconsistent stance regarding the missing 'swaroops' of the sacred Guru Granth Sahib.
During a casual discussion with reporters, he stated that, in contrast to the BJP, the Congress Party stands firmly against dividing citizens based on caste or religion. He highlighted that Punjab has a rich tradition of rejecting sectarian divides.
When asked about factionalism within the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), he assured that the party remains united across the state. He acknowledged minor differences among leaders, noting that such occurrences are typical in any organization or family.
“Can anyone point out instances where our leaders have worked against one another or the party?” he challenged.
Warring also mentioned that while there are 34 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), if more deserving candidates emerge from the community, they will be considered for tickets. “If there are 50 deserving SC candidates, they will all receive tickets, regardless of the 34-seat reservation,” he stated.
Responding to a query about recent comments from former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Warring chose not to elaborate. He noted that Channi was appointed Chief Minister following the removal of an upper-caste leader, Amarinder Singh, and later became the CLP leader after the ousting of another upper-caste leader, Sunil Jakhar.
Warring remarked that Channi was specifically chosen as Chief Minister in 2021 despite a lack of support from other party MLAs, yet every leader welcomed the decision.
When asked if Channi was advocating for the BJP's agenda after some BJP leaders reportedly invited him to join their ranks, Warring refrained from commenting.
On the AAP government's recent reversal regarding the missing 'swaroops' of the Guru Granth Sahib, Warring expressed skepticism about whom to trust, whether the Chief Minister or the Finance Minister.
Concerning the upcoming meeting with the party's high command on January 23, he indicated that the agenda would focus on strategies to counter the AAP, combat the BJP's divisive politics, and hold the Akali Dal accountable for the sacrilege incidents.