Congress will form ‘next govt’ in Punjab, claims Baghel

Chandigarh, July 9 (IANS) Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday expressed confidence about the party’s prospects of forming a government in the state in the 2027 assembly elections.

Despite the camp led by Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who is “anguished” over the continuation of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the state chief, Baghel said the process of meeting senior leaders and workers is going on, and it will continue, and he will be meeting everyone.

Party sources said the Baghel-Channi meeting is expected to take place on Friday or Saturday. However, it will be held, minus Warring, a leader who requested anonymity, told IANS.

The high command had retained Warring as state chief while appointing Channi to lead the Campaign Committee.

In an informal interaction with the media here, after holding meetings with a cross-section of party leadership and the cadres, Baghel said there was a lot of enthusiasm and energy among the party’s rank and file.

Asked about the leaders he will be meeting, he said he will meet every leader, as that is part of his brief. He asserted that the Congress was completely united in Punjab in its mission and purpose.

He said leaders voicing their opinions were unique to the Congress, as the party encourages debate and discussion. He said that, unlike in other parties, it is not one-way communication and command in the Congress.

Besides, he said, the Congress values and respects the seniority and contributions of each leader, which are acknowledged and rewarded at the right time.

Baghel predicted a comfortable victory for the party in the coming elections, saying that the Aam Aadmi Party government had completely failed and people want to get rid of it as soon as possible.

He said that, notwithstanding the BJP’s big claims, their presence on the ground remains marginal.

“Even the BJP leadership knows it well, and it is only making hoax claims so that their cadres and leaders don’t desert it ahead of the elections,” he said.

Baghel has already clarified that Amarinder Singh Raja Warring would stay the state Congress chief.

“Once the high command has taken a decision, it will not be changed. Is it a Gudda Gudi Khel?” he remarked while snubbing the group led by Charanjit Singh Channi, who are opposed to Warring continuing as the state chief.

–IANS

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