The Congress party has ruled out any change in its leadership in Punjab. AICC General Secretary in-charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, said that the party high command's decision will not be changed and speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Baghel dismissed speculation that the Congress could reconsider its decision on the Punjab unit president, he also said such decisions are not changed repeatedly and are not "gudda-guddi ka khel" (child's play) and when asked whether there would be any change in the party leadership, Baghel clearly said that the question does not arise.
The statement comes after the Congress announced on July 1 that Amrinder Singh Raja Warring would continue as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president.
At the same time, former Punjab Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi was appointed as the chairperson of the party's campaign committee for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.
Reports had suggested that Channi was unhappy after not being appointed as the Punjab Congress chief. It was also reported that he skipped meetings with Baghel after the announcement.
On Monday, several senior Congress leaders held a meeting in Mohali in the presence of Channi and the meeting came after several sitting and former Congress MLAs supported Channi and asked the party high command to reconsider his name for the post of Punjab Congress president.
Responding to questions about Channi, Baghel said that he had spoken to him on Monday and according to Baghel, Channi informed him that he was out of town for two to three days and would meet him after returning and he also said that senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is considered close to Channi, would also meet him.
Baghel arrived in Punjab on Monday for a five-day visit. During his visit, he is holding meetings with party leaders to strengthen the organisation ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, which are expected to be held early next year.
He said meetings of the Pradesh Congress Committee and District Congress presidents were held on Tuesday and according to Baghel, all those present supported the decisions taken by the party high command.
He said everyone congratulated Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on continuing as the Punjab Congress president and party leaders also expressed gratitude to the Congress high command for the appointments, Baghel further said that Raj Kumar Verka, Sukhwinder Singh Danny and Sangat Singh Gilzian were also congratulated after being appointed as working presidents of the Punjab Congress and along with this as part of his visit, Baghel is also meeting senior Congress leaders at their homes.
On Tuesday morning, he had a breakfast meeting with Raj Kumar Verka, later in the day, he visited the residence of senior Congress leader Rana K P Singh for dinner and the dinner meeting was attended by Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and some other party leaders, earlier, Baghel also held a meeting with Congress office-bearers and district presidents and during the meeting, party leaders discussed the roadmap and preparations for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.