Baghel meets Venugopal, hands over report on Punjab rift, says leadership not 'game of puppets'

New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Amid infighting in the Punjab Congress, party state in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday met AICC general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal and handed over his report to him based on his discussions with state leaders, with the message: leadership change is not a "game of puppets." Baghel's report is based on days of deliberations and one-on-one meetings with state leaders during his recent visit to Punjab. Congress Legislature Party leader in the state assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, also met Venugopal at his residence but did not disclose what transpired during the meeting. A section of the state leaders has revolted against the party high command's decision to continue with Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the state Congress chief. The rebel group is led by former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Baghel said that he was in Punjab for six days and met the fighting leaders and heard all of them. "After meeting everyone and having discussions with leaders of Punjab, I have submitted my report to AICC general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal," Baghel told reporters here. Asked whether he has recommended a change in state leadership to end the infighting, Baghel said, "How can I tell you what report I have given to the party leadership? This is not a game of puppets." Sources said the party leadership is keen to end the tussle for leadership in the Punjab Congress ahead of the assembly election next year. After returning from abroad, Rahul Gandhi held a crucial meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge here and is learnt to have discussed the leadership crisis. According to sources, Gandhi is willing to listen to the views of Punjab leaders and is keen to quell the infighting within the state unit at the earliest. The party leadership is concerned that Congress cannot head into the assembly polls with continuing infighting in the state unit. The Congress high command's decision to retain Warring as the Punjab unit chief has triggered dissent within the state unit. PTI SKC VN VN