Politics
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Punjab Congress rift flares as Channi ally excluded
NDTV··31 Jul
Exclusion of Charanjit Singh Channi's brother Dr Manohar Singh from a Congress organisational meeting in Sirhind on July 31 triggered fresh factional controversy in Punjab. NSUI president Ishwarpreet Singh Sidhu also alleged deliberate exclusion. In charge Bhupesh Baghel said Manohar Singh was not invited because he contested the last election as an Independent, not as a Congress member.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Congress workers in Bassi Pathana and Fatehgarh Sahib may watch ticket decisions after Dr Manohar Singh and NSUI president Ishwarpreet Sidhu were excluded from a Sirhind meeting.
- Punjab voters ahead of possible November or December assembly polls may see whether factional fights between Raja Warring and Charanjit Singh Channi camps affect candidate selection.
- Anyone in the state Congress organisation should note in charge Bhupesh Baghel said only party members were invited, dismissing reports of internal divisions.
What's Happening
- Exclusion of former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi's brother Dr Manohar Singh from a Congress organisational meeting in Sirhind triggered controversy on July 31.
- Punjab NSUI president Ishwarpreet Singh Sidhu also alleged he was deliberately kept out and warned he would complain to the high command.
- Congress in charge Bhupesh Baghel defended the decision, saying Manohar Singh is not in the party after contesting as an Independent in the last election.
Baghel's Nine Day Punjab Tour Begins
- Baghel began a nine day statewide tour to review booth level preparedness before assembly elections he suggested could come in November or December.
- Channi's absence from the programme and exclusion of leaders close to him reinforced perceptions of a power struggle with state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
- Warring publicly praised Channi and Partap Singh Bajwa while insisting the party remains united and bigger than any individual.
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