Raja Warring dismisses Punjab Congress rift, backs Channi’s leaders’ meeting

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Saturday dismissed speculation about factionalism within the state unit, asserting that the party remained united and fully focused on returning to power in Punjab.

Speaking to reporters during an informal interaction in Chandigarh, Warring said there was nothing unusual about former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi convening a meeting of party leaders at his residence.

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He noted that Channi, being a former Chief Minister and Chairman of the party’s Campaign Committee, was well within his role to hold discussions with senior leaders.

Rejecting suggestions that the meeting reflected internal divisions, Warring said all leaders who attended had spoken only in the interest of strengthening the Congress. He maintained that describing such interactions as signs of factionalism was unwarranted.

The Punjab Congress chief also reiterated that he was not a contender for the Chief Minister’s post.

Responding to a question on whether Channi should be projected as the party’s chief ministerial face, Warring said the decision rested entirely with the Congress high command, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.

Emphasising that his priority was to bring the Congress back to power in the state, Warring said he was committed to fulfilling every responsibility assigned to him by the party leadership.

He described himself as a loyal worker of the Congress and stressed that the interests of the party were always above individual ambitions.

Refuting reports of internal discord, Warring said senior leaders of the Punjab Congress would soon be seen sharing the stage together, demonstrating the party’s unity.

He asserted that all leaders were working towards a common objective of restoring the Congress government in Punjab and that no other consideration was more important than achieving that goal.