Punjab Congress Infighting Escalates as Warring Accuses Ashu Supporters of Being 'RSS Stooges'
The rift within the Punjab Congress has once again spilled over during an organisational meeting in Ludhiana, with supporters of former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu raising slogans of “go back” against AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel.
State party chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring termed such protesters “RSS stooges” and accused them of disrupting Congress programmes.
“RSS ke chamchon baahar jaao (RSS stooges move out),” Warring thundered from the stage.
Warring Takes on Detractors
Warring also took on his detractors and without naming anyone, said he had personally helped some of them “when they were hounded by the state vigilance bureau” and now they are raising slogans.
“I was the one who had fed them roti when they were in vigilance custody. One should never forget this,” said Warring.
Former MLA Simarjit Singh Bains Speaks Out
Former MLA Simarjit Singh Bains, in his address, claimed that during 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he had “received calls from some very senior Congress leader to ensure that Warring loses the election.”
“They told me.. Warring di manji thok de Bains, jittan nahi dena (Don’t let him win). I have the audio and I will release it very soon if these people will not deter from what they are doing,” said Bains.
Escalating Tension
The situation escalated as Ashu’s supporters stormed out of the venue, raising slogans against Warring and Baghel.
Warring said that Congress’s programmes were being disrupted by those who were working for “BJP-backed RSS.”
“RSS de kisi tattoo da ludhiana nahi hai, Ludhiana Punjabiyaan da hai (Ludhiana doesn’t belong to any stooge of RSS. Ludhiana belongs to Punjabis,” said Warring.
Baghel’s Response
Speaking on the occasion, Baghel made it clear “that indiscipline had no place in the party”. Those who had tried to disrupt the party programmes will be identified and action will be taken against them, he added.
The former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister said that while the Congress’ external enemies are visible and identified, those inside working as “sleeper cells” and “internal saboteurs” need to be exposed and thrown out.
