Ahead of the next assembly elections in Punjab, tensions have flared up inside the state Congress unit. Former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi's recent moves have fuelled talk of discontent within the party, and newly appointed Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has now responded directly to the controversy. Warring made clear that if the party leadership hands the state president's post to someone else in the future, he would be the first person to salute that individual. He also distanced himself entirely from any race for the chief minister's post, saying he would firmly stand behind whoever the party eventually picks as its CM face.
Warring addresses reporters in Chandigarh
Speaking to the media in Chandigarh, Warring dismissed questions about who would be projected as the party's chief ministerial face. He said it was not his job to decide who becomes CM or who the party's face would be. According to him, if the high command decided to make Charanjit Singh Channi the chief minister, he would have no objection whatsoever. He reiterated that he himself is not part of any leadership race, and that his only goal is to see a Congress government formed in Punjab in the coming election.
No attachment to the state chief's post either
Asked about his own position as state party chief, Warring said that whether people accept it or not, the final call ultimately rests with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. He said that if the high command decides to replace him with someone else as state president, he would be the first to salute that new leader. Warring added that he is not permanently tied to this chair, and that every president eventually becomes an ex-president. Whoever takes over as the next state chief, he said, he would welcome and respect them, since he has no personal quarrel with anyone.
Rebellion talk dismissed as a rival plot
On allegations of an internal revolt within the Congress, Warring took a firm stand. He said he does not see any rebellion within the party at all. Referring to Charanjit Singh Channi, he called him the party's respected former chief minister who has just been appointed chairman of the campaign committee. Warring said some leaders and workers went to meet Channi, while others went to congratulate him on his new role, but no one stopped anyone from visiting or leaving. He asked how this could be described as a rebellion when there was no restriction on party workers at all. According to him, a rebellion would only be evident if Channi and Warring were saying contradictory things. He described Channi as his respected leader, senior colleague and brother, noting that he is now part of the team as chairman of the campaign committee. Warring stated plainly that the narrative of rebellion and challenging the high command has been entirely manufactured by rival parties to damage the Congress's image.
