Will meet Baghel, present our views: Channi camp relents amid Punjab Congress buzz

Chandigarh, Jul 9 (PTI) In a climbdown amid the Punjab Congress leadership buzz, senior leaders considered close to former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday relented and decided to meet AICC general secretary in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, a day after he ruled out any change in the state party leadership. Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh said, "We will meet Baghel and present our views". The development comes days after Baghel, also the former chief minister of Chhattisgarh, began his five-day visit to Punjab to prepare the party for the Punjab polls due early next year. Sources said the meeting is likely to take place on Friday, the concluding day of Baghel's visit. Former chief minister and Jalandhar MP Channi, who is said to be unhappy over not being appointed the state president, along with leaders considered close to him, including Pargat Singh, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rana Gurjit and Bharat Bhushan Ashu are yet to meet Baghel. The AICC general secretary has held a series of interactions with party leaders and office-bearers during his visit. Talking to reporters, Baghel expressed confidence about the party's prospects of forming government in Punjab after the assembly elections. He asserted that the Congress was united in Punjab in its mission and purpose and noted that leaders voicing their opinions was unique to the Congress as the party encourages debates and discussions. "Unlike in other parties, it is not a one-way communication and command in the Congress," he said, adding the Congress values and respects the seniority and contribution of each and every leader which is acknowledged and rewarded at the right time. Pargat Singh and and MP Randhawa asserted that the Congress remained "united and strong", saying the party's larger objective was to return to power after the 2027 Assembly polls. Pargat Singh, however, acknowledged that some "differences of opinion" existed and said these would be conveyed to Baghel. "One or two (leaders) have been authorised to talk. Baghel is our in-charge and the meeting will take place with him. Sukhjinder Randhawa ji will fix the meeting time with him," he said. On July 1, the Congress announced that Amrinder Singh Raja Warring would continue as the Punjab unit president and appointed Channi as chairperson of the campaign committee. Several senior leaders held a meeting in Mohali in Channi's presence on Monday, days after several incumbent and former MLAs threw their weight behind the ex-CM to be reconsidered for the state unit chief's post. 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?)'" Randhawa on Thursday told reporters that they will talk to Baghel and added, "If the issue is not resolved there then we will talk to our senior leadership in Delhi". He, however, did not elaborate on the issue. Randhawa also reminded Warring that he had always stood by him and suggested the state unit chief should avoid making remarks about leaders who were "upset". Speaking separately to mediapersons, Baghel said Rana Gurjit Singh had informed him that the group would meet him. "Now how many will meet, that remains to be seen," he said. Warring sought to play down the developments, saying, "Whether two members or eight members meet, they are our family members." "Our party is not the AAP, where there is dictatorship. Our party is also not the BJP, where no one can speak. In the Congress, everyone has freedom to speak and present their views. All senior leaders are in touch with Baghel. The Congress is one and we are all together," Warring said. Earlier in the day, Rana Gurjit Singh dismissed reports of factionalism, asserting that no one was above the party high command. Channi, Randhawa, Pargat Singh, Ashu, and Gurkirat Singh met at Rana Gurjit's residence here on Thursday. Rana said they had all come to meet him on a civic poll-related issue in Kapurthala though party sources said, other issues were also discussed. Later, Pargat, Randhawa, and Rana Gurjit Singh briefly interacted with the media. Asked whether the perceived deadlock in the party would end, Rana Gurjit Singh replied, "Where is the deadlock? All is well". Baghel had earlier said he would soon meet Channi. During his interaction with reporters at Rana Gurjit's residence here, Pargat Singh, who was taking questions on the ongoing developments in the state unit, said, "In a democracy, there is nothing wrong in having differences of opinion, and we may have differences of opinion, but our common target is to make the party victorious in the upcoming elections". "Punjab needs good governance, which only the Congress can give. There is no group within Punjab Congress. It is only a difference of opinion, and together we will resolve things," said Pargat Singh. He asserted, "We are a team, and there is no problem. It is an ongoing process. We will sit and give our opinion. We will meet Baghel". Asked about Baghel ruling out any change in state leadership, Pargat Singh quipped, "He has his opinion, the high command has its own opinion. But we have the right to present our views. "There is no dictatorship in the Congress like the AAP and the BJP. We have systems in place, and the high command is kept in the loop. We will apprise Baghel regarding our difference of opinion," the Jalandhar Cantt MLA said. Both Pargat Singh and Randhawa said there were burning issues facing Punjab today. "Gangsters are running criminal networks from jail, raising serious questions about law and order," Randhawa said. A Punjab police inspector has been linked to serious allegations contained in a US federal indictment against members of an India-based organised crime syndicate, Randhawa added. PTI SUN VSD RHL