Over 20 sitting, ex-MLAs turn up at former CM Channi’s house
CHANDIGARH, July 3: Factions emerged in Punjab Congress on Friday with more than 20 sitting and former MLAs throwing their weight behind former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi for state unit chief after the party’s decision to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring for the post.
At least six party MLAs, several former legislators and many senior leaders of Punjab Congress gathered at Channi’s residence in Punjab’s Rupnagar district in a show of strength for the ex-CM.
The development comes after the party’s central leadership decided to retain Warring as the state unit chief. The announcement came on Wednesday, alongside the unveiling of the party’s various committees for the 2027 Assembly polls.
Many of his party colleagues feel that Channi should be made state Congress chief to galvanise the cadre ahead of the key election.
According to a source, the faction siding with Channi has given the party a week to reconsider its decision on the naming of the state unit chief. Speaking to reporters at the end of a three-hour long meeting at Channi’s residence, MLA Tript Bajwa, in an obvious reference to the high command’s decision to retain Warring, said there is resentment and dejection among people.
Bajwa, who was flanked by Rana Gurjit Singh and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria during interaction with reporters, said the decision did not meet expectations of the people.(PTI)
