Congress High Command Stands Firm on Punjab Unit Chief Decision Amid Factional Rift

New Delhi, July 8: Even as the internal rift in the Congress in Punjab is playing out in the open over the retention of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as state unit chief, the sources on Wednesday indicated that former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi can meet incharge Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday with the party high command making it clear that there will be no change in their decision with some senior leaders are playing important role to bring the warring factions together. The impasse in Punjab has prevailed on the third day of Baghel’s visit to Punjab as Channi and other senior leaders from his camp have not met the former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister. However, another party source said that on Wednesday some senior leaders had met Channi as part of the party’s step to douse the flame ahead of the crucial assembly polls. The source said that Amritsar Lok Sabha MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Partap Singh Bajwa had met Channi at his residence as part of the exercise to end the impasse in the state unit. Meanwhile, a senior leader who had met Channi said that the reconciliation is underway and soon an amicable solution will be made public. The leader, wishing not to be named also stated that party leadership has made it very clear that the decision to continue Warring as Punjab Congress chief and Bajwa as CLP leader will not be revisited. Even Baghel while speaking to the media earlier in the day in Chandigarh stated that meetings of both the state Congress Committee and the district Congress committee took place yesterday. “In both meetings, everyone unanimously supported the decisions made by the High Command and expressed their gratitude. Congratulations were extended, and thanks offered to the High Command, on the reappointment of Raja Amarinder Warring as President,” he said. “Once the High Command makes a decision, it does not change; this isn’t a game of dolls to be altered repeatedly,” Baghel said giving a clear hint that party will not be taken for rider through such factionalism. But, another party insider said that Channi might be meeting Baghel after holding meeting with his camp leaders. The insider pointed out that Channi will first meet his camp leaders and seek their opinion on his meeting with Baghel and what all options should be presented before him. On the basis of the decision during the meeting, Channi will hold talks with Baghel, the insider added. The insider also said that the meeting of Channi and Baghel can take place at some other neutral venue instead of the state party headquarters. The internal rift in Congress erupted following the process of discussion that began in the grand old party to decide on state leadership taking shape into a full blown factional battle, presenting the Congress high command with a major organisational challenge in Punjab as the position of the state unit chief has become the focal point of the party’s internal power struggle.