This is an archive article published on September 23, 2015
Congress asks Amarinder, Bajwa ‘not to harm party’
Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab Shakeel Ahmed told Amarinder and Bajwa not to make public statements against each other, saying that their “statements are not good for the health of the party.”
In a bid to address the infighting in its Punjab unit, the Congress leadership on Tuesday asked former CM Captain Amarinder Singh and state party chief Partap Singh Bajwa to “observe restraint” and not “harm the interests of the party”. On the other hand, the party leadership chose to play down the heckling of Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar by supporters of former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda at a rally as “an expression of enthusiasm by workers”.
Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab Shakeel Ahmed told Amarinder and Bajwa not to make public statements against each other, saying that their “statements are not good for the health of the party.”
“Issuing statements against each other in the media will harm the interests of the party. I am requesting all the leaders to observe restraint,” Ahmed said.
The party high command had to step in after the war of words between Amarinder and Bajwa escalated.
Earlier this week, the former CM called Bajwa “incompetent” and a “failure”, and reiterated his demand that he be sacked. He also attacked party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Bajwa, known to be a Rahul appointee, responded by saying that Amarinder was plotting to split the state Congress unit and launch a separate outfit.
Sources said the Congress leadership has decided to appoint Ambika Soni as the new Punjab Congress chief, but the appointment was held up because of Amarinder’s opposition. Sources, however, added that Soni could soon be appointed.
As for Haryana, the tussle between factions led by Hooda, Tanwar and Congress legisltature party leader Kiran Choudhry came out in the open when Hooda supporters heckled and hooted Tanwar at the Kisan Rally in Delhi on
Sunday.
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“In the Congress, different groups subscribing to the Congress ideology have from time to time expressed their enthusiasm in their own ways,” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape.
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Capt Amarinder singh (L), Partap Singh Bajwa
