Punjab Congress rift: MP Sukhjinder Randhawa says united front needed for polls, but "don't need compromised leaders"

Following a meeting of Congress leaders with AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, Randhawa said that dialogue had been productive, with an acknowledgement that the party must sometimes reverse its decisions. He also stressed that he hopes for the Congress to have a united front in the upcoming polls.

"We had a productive dialogue, acknowledging that sometimes the party must reverse certain decisions," he told reporters.

His message to the leadership was direct, stating, "Our demand to the leadership present today is clear. We want a Congress government in Punjab, and we want to address issues like the law-and-order situation and corruption. To achieve this, we need unity within the party, but we also need leaders who speak boldly and decisively. We do not need compromised leaders."

The rift in the party's Punjab unit stemmed from decisions to retain certain leaders at their posts, where Amrinder Singh Raja Warring held his post as the State Congress chief.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who had declined to comment on the meeting's agenda prior to the meet, told reporters, "He (Sukhjinder Randhawa) had said. It was decided. It was the leadership's decision."

Certain other Congress leaders were appreciative of Baghel listening to their grievances, saying that the party's high command seems receptive to their problems. Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh contrasted the meeting procedure with other parties, stating, "AICC General Secretary In-Charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel is an experienced leader who has also served as the Chief Minister...In other parties, no one is allowed to express their grievances; this happens only in the Congress party."

Congress MLA Pargat Singh claimed that Bhaghel was receptive of theie concerns and the final call is upto the Congress High Command.

"All shortcomings were discussed. Bhupesh Baghel has assured us that we are all one team, one family, and if there are some discrepancies, we will fix them, and in the future, the Congress party will definitely come to power in Punjab and form a good government... It's up to the High Command now," he said.

This comes after Baghel on Saturday said that the concerns raised by Punjab Congress leaders during a party meeting in Chandigarh would be conveyed to the party high command, while asserting that there was "no resentment" within the state unit and that all leaders stood by the decisions of the leadership.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Baghel said he interacted with senior party leaders and assured them that their concerns would be taken into consideration.

"I spoke and met with all the colleagues. They shared their views, and no one has any objection to the High Command's decision. Everyone stands with the High Command. My colleagues raised certain points, and I assured them all that I would look after everyone's interests. No one should feel disadvantaged just because they lack the backing of a major leader. If a candidate is capable of winning, they will certainly get the ticket," Baghel said.

"Another important point is that the issues raised by our colleagues will be conveyed to the high command. There is no resentment. No discussions were held regarding tickets. I mentioned that on my own," he added.

Dismissing speculation over a possible change in the Punjab Congress leadership, Baghel said there was no discussion regarding the replacement of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring."No such talk took place," he said, adding, "All is well."

The undertones of dissent had been visible even before the meeting began. Randhawa had earlier remarked that state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring "should have come on his own" to participate in the discussions.

The meeting followed a series of consultations by Baghel with senior leaders as the Congress seeks to strengthen organisational unity in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. (ANI)