No one above party high command, says Punjab Congress leader Rana Gurjit amid factional buzz

Chandigarh, Jul 9 (PTI) Amid reports of factionalism in the Punjab Congress, senior leader and MLA Rana Gurjit Singh on Thursday asserted that no one was above the party high command. "No one is above the high command," Singh told reporters here when asked about former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and senior leaders, including himself, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Bharat Bhushan Ashu and some others, who are yet to meet Congress general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, during his ongoing visit to the state. Baghel has been holding a series of meetings with party leaders ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls. Rana Gurjit sought to project that "all is well" in the Punjab Congress but did not specify when he, Channi, or other leaders considered close to the former chief minister would meet Baghel. On Wednesday, Baghel ruled out any change in the party's state leadership, saying such decisions were not "gudda-guddi ka khel" (child's play). He also said he would meet Jalandhar MP and former chief minister Channi, who is said to be upset over not being appointed the Punjab Congress president. On July 1, the Congress retained Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab unit president and appointed Channi as chairperson of the campaign committee. Several senior leaders met in Mohali in Channi's presence on Monday, days after a number of sitting and former MLAs backed him for reconsideration as the state unit chief. On Thursday, Channi, Randhawa, Ashu, Pargat Singh, and Gurkirat Singh met at Rana Gurjit's residence here. Rana, however, said they had gathered to discuss a civic poll-related issue in Kapurthala. Asked whether he had spoken to Baghel over the phone, Rana said, "I have not spoken to Baghel over the phone or had any meeting with him". When asked whether the perceived deadlock in the party would end, he replied, "Where is the deadlock? All is well". He, however, did not answer a question on when he would meet Baghel. Baghel arrived in Punjab, which goes to polls early next year, on a five-day visit on Monday and has met a number of leaders since then, but Channi and others considered close to him are yet to meet the AICC in-charge. On Wednesday, Channi interacted with the media at his residence and targeted the Bhagwant Mann government on various issues, but refrained from commenting on the developments within the Punjab Congress. Dismissing speculation about a rethink on Warring's retention as the state party chief, Baghel on Wednesday said, "When the high command has taken a decision, it is not changed. 'Koi gudda-guddi ka khel hai kya ke baar-baar nirnay badla jaega? (Is this a child's play that the decision will be changed repeatedly?)". Asked whether this meant there would be no change in the state leadership, Baghel, flanked by Warring, said, "The question does not arise." PTI SUN RHL RHL