With Punjab's assembly elections due next year, the ruling Congress party is tightening internal discipline, and former Ghanaur MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur has become the latest target. The disciplinary committee of the Congress Punjab unit issued him a show-cause notice on Monday, accusing him of making objectionable remarks about senior party leaders in front of the media. The move comes at a moment when the Congress central leadership is actively trying to contain growing discontent and infighting within its Punjab unit.
What triggered the controversy
Avtar Henry, chairman of the Punjab Congress disciplinary committee, wrote in the notice that the committee had received a complaint routed through the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. The complaint alleged that Jalalpur, during a conversation with the media, made objectionable comments about senior leaders K.C. Venugopal and Bhupesh Baghel. According to Henry, the complainant also attached a video recording of that conversation, which made it easier for the committee to examine the allegations.
Committee says workers' sentiments were hurt
The notice states plainly that Jalalpur's remarks deeply hurt the sentiments of party office-bearers and workers. The committee views such public comments about a senior leader as falling squarely within the category of indiscipline, which is why it decided to treat the matter seriously and demand a formal explanation from Jalalpur.
Three days to respond or face action
Jalalpur has been directed to submit his written response to the committee within three days. The notice warns that failure to do so within the given time frame will result in disciplinary action being initiated against him. Attempts were made to reach Jalalpur for his reaction, but his mobile phone was found switched off, so his response has not been available so far.
Bhupesh Baghel in Chandigarh to calm factional tensions
The notice has landed at a time when Bhupesh Baghel, the Congress in-charge for Punjab, is himself camped in Chandigarh trying to resolve factionalism and organisational disputes within the state unit. According to party sources, former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa left for Delhi without meeting Baghel, a development being read as a sign of friction within the party.
Growing demand to make Channi state unit chief
At the same time, demand is building among several former and sitting MLAs to reconsider Lok Sabha member Charanjit Singh Channi for the post of Punjab Congress president. Reflecting this undercurrent, several senior party leaders held a meeting in Mohali on Monday, seen by many as yet another sign of deepening factionalism within the state unit. Taken together, containing this internal turmoil ahead of the elections is shaping up to be a serious challenge for the Congress.
