Amid ongoing internal strife within the Ludhiana District Congress, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and newly-elected MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday conducted a meeting with Congress workers. Notably absent was the party’s state working president and former MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu, intensifying speculation about the widening rift between the two leaders.
The friction between Warring and Ashu has been evident for some time. Instances of exclusion from public displays and social media have highlighted their discord. Warring’s visit to Ludhiana and his meeting at the Circuit House saw conspicuous absenteeism from Ashu, raising questions among party members and the media also.
Responding to media queries about Ashu's absence, Warring responded diplomatically, “We sent messages to all members. Some attended, some didn’t. It's possible that some had urgent matters to attend to.” His emphasis on unity, however, was clear: “We all need to stay united. If leaders speak in different tones, winning in 2027 will be difficult.”
Warring reiterated the need for unity within the Congress party to tackle upcoming challenges. “We need to speak in one voice and work together to achieve our goals. The people of Punjab are looking to us for leadership, and we must not let them down,” he added.
Meanwhile, Warring announced the forthcoming inauguration of a dedicated office at Ludhiana, scheduled to open in July. The office aims to provide a continuous link between him and the Ludhiana public, ensuring that their issues are addressed promptly. “This office will be a place where people can feel my presence and get their problems solved. We will also announce a public contact number to ensure accessibility,” he said.
Strategic Focus on Jalandhar By-Election
The upcoming Jalandhar by-election is a focal point for Warring. He called for a united effort to replicate the Congress’s previous electoral success, emphasizing the need to counter the financial mismanagement by the current government. “Punjab's economic situation is deteriorating. The state debt has reached Rs 3.50 lakh-crore and could rise to Rs five lakh crore. We must prevent further financial ruin by supporting Congress in the by-election,” he said.
Warring also criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent comments about the Punjab Police’s alleged involvement in drug supply. “Labeling the entire police force is inappropriate. While there may be some individuals at fault, the majority of our police force is dedicated and hardworking. The CM should engage with the police to resolve their issues rather than demoralizing them,” he said.
Also touching on historical instances where jailed MPs were granted temporary release to take their oaths, Warring underscored the need for legal and democratic processes to be respected. This context was particularly relevant given the ongoing detention of Amritpal Singh, a controversial Sikh preacher currently lodged at Dibrugarh jail in Assam.
Warring did not hold back in his criticism of the AAP Government’s response to their recent electoral defeat. He cited frequent power cuts and water shortages as evidence of the government’s failure to serve the people effectively. He also promised to raise the issue of increased toll plaza rates with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, advocating for the farmers protesting against these hikes.
