Chandigarh: Ahead of the proposed visit of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to Punjab, Punjab Congress in charge Bhupesh Baghel is scheduled to visit the state next week as the party works on preparations for the proposed tour.
Baghel will address a news conference in Chandigarh on Sept 7 on the issue of the Mallikarjun Kharge “purification” controversy and the FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi. He will also participate in the Congress’s statewide protest against Punjab govt on Sept 8.
Amid factionalism within the party, it remains to be seen whether former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and other leaders supporting him will participate in the Sept 8 statewide protest. The Channi group has been pressing for the removal of Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president.
A meeting on Rahul Gandhi’s proposed Punjab visit was held in Delhi on Thursday and was attended by Baghel, Warring, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Punjab Congress co-in charge Suraj Singh Thakur. The proposed route of the bus yatra of Rahul Gandhi was discussed at the meeting. The Punjab Congress has also sent the central leadership a detailed proposal for the visit.
On the timing of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, Warring said that if it is a long, multi-day tour, it is likely to take place after Sept 19. If it is a shorter visit, the programme could be announced within the next one or two days.
As per the proposed plan, Rahul Gandhi’s visit is likely to begin from Amritsar. According to information, the first phase of the proposed bus yatra is expected to cover 15 to 18 Assembly constituencies.
Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, the Congress high command may also hold a separate interaction with Channi and other leaders supporting him as part of efforts to address differences within the state unit. Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa were not part of Thursday’s Delhi meeting. A separate meeting with the Channi group is now being considered, and Channi and some other senior leaders who have expressed their differences may be called to Delhi.
Courtesy : TOI
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